In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other leaders are facing legal challenges for accepting gifts while in office. Khan is particularly under scrutiny for taking gifts from the state gift depository.
This raises a larger question about how world leaders, including the First Lady of the USA and the British Prime Minister and his wife, handle receiving gifts. There’s ongoing debate about whether it is appropriate for them to accept gifts in their official capacities.
Recently, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy commented that Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, accepted clothing donations to look their best while representing Britain. He noted that other countries have budgets funded by taxpayers for their leaders’ clothing.
Lammy was responding to reports that Starmer might have violated parliamentary rules by failing to declare clothes bought for his wife by a party donor. He pointed out that US Presidents and their wives have substantial budgets funded by taxpayers for their attire.
However, the First Lady does not have a set budget or salary, despite having a staff and office. People often wonder how she can afford expensive outfits. For instance, Melania Trump wore a controversial jacket during a visit to an immigrant detention centre, while Michelle Obama’s striking red dress caught attention during her meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Some First Ladies feel expected to pay for their clothing themselves. For example, Laura Bush shared in her memoir that she was surprised by the number of designer outfits expected of her as First Lady. Michelle Obama’s press secretary confirmed that she paid for her own clothes but could also accept gifts from designers.
Some designers are happy to donate outfits, as it gives them valuable publicity. However, prices for designer clothes can reach tens of thousands of dollars, making donated clothing a practical option for less affluent individuals.
In the UK, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah Brown, wrote about the challenges of accepting gifts while living at Downing Street. She explained that there are strict rules for MPs and their spouses regarding gifts.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron’s wife, Brigitte, reportedly does not have an official clothing budget. She is thought to receive outfits from top fashion houses, and her office keeps a record of which items are donations and which are her own.
In Germany, ministers faced criticism for spending €450,000 on hairstylists, makeup artists, and photographers, with no specific budget for clothing. When asked about David Lammy’s comments, the Foreign Office declined to provide further details.
Downing Street stated that they consulted with officials about Starmer’s clothing donations and believed they were following the rules, but would provide more details following further inquiries.
