Scandal over Starmer ally McSweeney deepens as Labour Together donations draw scrutiny

A fresh wave of disclosures ties Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership bid to Labour Together and its chief adviser, Morgan McSweeney, to a widening probe into political donations and disclosures. The Electoral Commission is examining suspected breaches after Labour Together was fined £14,000 for failing to declare about £750,000 in donations and in-kind support, a finding that underscores concerns about transparency in the campaign that propelled Starmer to the Labour leadership.

Emails obtained by this publication show McSweeney sought to obfuscate or mislead the commission during its inquiry, with his own lawyers warning against raising questions that might refer back to him. The messages show repeated attempts to deflect, misrepresent and delay the watchdog’s work.

Analysts and ministers warn that the affair goes beyond an internal fundraising row. They say Labour Together and McSweeney were central to Starmer’s rise; without their operation, Starmer would not be in Downing Street. Labour's claims that the group did not donate to the leadership campaign have been questioned. A former member of his team said, "Morgan basically ran Keir's leadership campaign." The quote, attributed to a friend of McSweeney in a later account, underscored the scale of the operation that helped push Starmer to the leadership.

The revelation that the Electoral Commission asked questions and McSweeney's lawyers attempted to address them raises questions about compliance with the rules on donations and in-kind contributions, and about how closely Starmer was tied to the fundraising group. Separately, Parliament records show there is no entry for Labour Together in the Register of Members’ Interests, despite the party’s leadership bid being supported by the group. Critics say the omission, if verified, would represent a breach of reporting requirements that govern politicians’ outside fundraising activity.

Historically, Starmer has positioned himself as a standard-bearer for ethical conduct, repeatedly urging the Conservatives to clean up public life and pledging to end sleaze. The current disclosures prompt renewed questions about how his own campaign and leadership apparatus were funded, and how closely he is linked to the donor networks that supported him.

The case names the figures and bodies at the center of the controversy: Morgan McSweeney, described by some as the “real power” inside the government, and Labour Together, a once-cohesive fundraising and political operation that helped move Starmer from the Labour leadership to Downing Street. The party says it complies with the law; opponents say the public deserves full accountability as the Electoral Commission completes its inquiry, and as Parliament reviews any potential reporting breaches. The prime minister, who has emphasized transparency since taking office, now faces reminders of the standards he has championed—and the scrutiny his closest aides face as those standards are tested in a high-profile political scandal.