Andy Burnham brings back Labour donor at the centre of the freebies row under Sir Keir Starmer in a bid to galvanise finances

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 17:09 EDT, 5 September 2026 | Updated: 17:21 EDT, 5 September 2026 The Labour donor at the centre of the freebies row under Sir Keir Starmer will be welcomed back under Andy Burnham, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.Lord Alli, who was Sir Keir's biggest personal backer, will return to revive Labour's business connections and boost their ailing finances.The television executive, worth a reputed £200million, was engulfed in scandal after paying for designer suits and glasses for the former PM.Despite that controversy, which resulted in him stepping back from front-line politics, Lord Alli, pictured right, will again start raising funds.The MoS understands that Lord Alli will host a dinner for backers this month, on the Mondayof the Labour conference in Liverpool. One business source said: 'I'm very surprised he's been brought back. After the trouble last time I thought they wouldn't want him anywhere near Burnham. It's not a good look.' Lord Waheed Alli visited the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in 2024 Prime Minister Andy Burnham left No 10 Downing Street on WednesdaySome insiders think Mr Burnham may have welcomed him back as part of a renewed money-making drive after party funds dried up under Sir Keir. Donation figures from the Electoral Commission last week show Labour in third place, lagging behind the Tories and Reform.It has fuelled speculation that Mr Burnham may be preparing for an early election, as Lord Alli led Labour's fundraising for the 2024 election. He has been a central figure in the party since Peter Mandelson masterminded Labour's 1997 landslide from Lord Alli's Kent mansion.He has given over £500,000 to the party since 2020, on top of personal gifts to Sir Keir and Cabinet members.Labour said it looked forward to welcoming thousands of members and supporters to its annual conference.READ MORE: Is Lord Alli still sorting out your clothes, Keir? PM Starmer and Labour donor at centre of gifts row step out in VERY similar outfits at conference