Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stella McCartney clothes, designer shoes and a silk scarf: The haul of gifts received by Theresa May

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also received a Moser crystal glass bowl from the Czech President Miloš Zeman

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Saturday 14 October 2017 10:47 BST
Comments
Prime Minister Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May (AFP)

Theresa May received a haul of gifts in the period around the general election, including Stella McCartney clothing, designer shoes, and a necklace from the President of Ukraine.

According to the latest data transparency data – showing all gifts received by the Prime Minister for the three months to the end of June – Ms May decided to purchase a pair of shoes from Ms Charlotte Olympia, totalling £495.

The Prime Minister also purchased a silk scarf – valued at £145 – given to her from the Queen of Jordan, a £160 necklace from the President of Ukraine, and a £175 fountain pen from the Onoto Pen Company eight days after Ms May lost her election gamble.

Under Whitehall rules, the Prime Minister paid with her own money to keep the items as Ministerial code dictates that gifts received by ministers in their official capacity worth more than £140 become the property of Government unless they chose to pay the value of the item.

The new data shows that Ms May decided not to keep three pairs of shoes given by Hotter Shoes, a leather handbag and gloves from Petard, and silk scarves from Halcyon Days, which were retained by the Cabinet Office.

Before the general election the Prime Minister’s haul included a clock and a medal from the Saudi King and a fountain pen from the King of Jordan. But again Ms May decided not to purchase the items and they became Government property.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also received a Moser crystal glass bowl from the Czech President Miloš Zeman, which is currently being held by the Foreign Office.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in