Lawmaker quits Labour Party due to Starmer's 'hypocrisy'

The new government of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reeled from its first resignation on Sept 28, as lawmaker Rosie Duffield quit the Labour Party, accusing him of "hypocrisy" over his acceptance of gifts.

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In a blistering resignation letter, Ms Duffield denounced Mr Starmer for pursuing "cruel and unnecessary" policies.

"The sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice are off the scale," she wrote, after it emerged earlier in September that Mr Starmer had accepted more than £100,000 (S$171,000) in gifts and hospitality while cutting an annual £300 winter heating payment to some 10 million pensioners.

"I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party."

Ms Duffield said the "hypocrisy" of a leader enjoying expensive free clothing and outings while asking others to tighten their belts was "staggering".

She also attacked the British Prime Minister's decision to maintain a cap on a benefit aimed at supporting families with children.