Keir Starmer admits 'unfortunate error' in row over giving £130k job to Labour donor

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that he signed off on the appointment of a Labour donor to a new £130,000 football regulator job in an "unfortunate error". In a letter to his ethics adviser, he said he confirmed he was content with the appointment of David Kogan as chairman of the Independent Football Regulator.

Sir Laurie Magnus said it was "regrettable" that the Prime Minister became involved in the appointment, despite recusing himself from the decision. But Sir Laurie also said Sir Keir had made an "important demonstration of your commitment to transparency" by discussing what had happened during the process.

In a letter replying to Sir Keir's admission he had involved himself in "error" in the appointment, Sir Laurie said: "It is regrettable, as you say in your letter, that despite the recusal we agreed in autumn 2024 concerning the Football Governance Bill, you were asked to confirm that you were content with the proposed appointment recommended by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in line with her statutory responsibilities as the appointing authority.

"It is important that robust processes for the management of recusals are in place in No 10, and I welcome the internal review you have commissioned in this connection.

"I consider that the disclosures made in your letter are an important demonstration of your commitment to transparency and to ensuring that mistakes are acknowledged and necessary steps taken to improve processes underpinning standards in public life."

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