"I confirmed that I was supportive. I knew that the decision was for the secretary of state to take and I replied on the basis that the decision had been taken. In retrospect, it would have been better if I had not been given the note or confirmed that I was content with the appointment. This was an unfortunate error for which I express my sincere regret."
"Starmer expressed sincere regret to Laurie Magnus, his independent adviser on ministerial standards, regarding the appointment of David Kogan. It followed an apology to the prime minister by Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, who had also received a donation from Kogan. Given his interest in football, and the hospitality he has received from football clubs and the Football Association, Starmer wrote, he agreed with Magnus in autumn last year to recuse himself from decisions relating to the new regulator, saying he had abided by this."
Keir Starmer recused himself from decisions relating to the new independent football regulator because of his interest in football and hospitality received from clubs and the Football Association. A culture secretary appointment of David Kogan, a media executive who negotiated TV rights for the Premier League and English Football League, was legally the secretary of state’s decision. Starmer confirmed he had been shown a note in April 2025 asking if he was content and replied that he was supportive, later saying in retrospect he should not have confirmed content. Starmer expressed sincere regret and the culture secretary apologised to the prime minister. Kogan had donated to Starmer’s 2020 leadership campaign and had also donated to the culture secretary.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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