Who is Lord Waheed Alli? Labour donor's net worth, New York apartment and political career
Lord Alli is the key figure behind the ongoing Labour donations row, having given hundreds of thousands to the party over the past few years.
David Lammy defends Starmer over clothing donations
As Labour grapples with the ongoing row surrounding donations and freebies to senior members of the government, one donor has been thrust into the limelight for the first time.
Lord Waheed Alli has donated more than £700,000 to the Labour Party during his life, with £50,000 given this year alone. Among the gifts to Keir Starmer and others have included free clothes and hotel stays, including to the PM’s wife Lady Victoria.
The donation of over £2,000-worth of glasses to Sir Keir, followed by revelations he was given an access-all-areas pass to Downing Street after the election, led to the row being labelled “glasses for passes”.
Lord Alli, whose net worth is estimated to be around £200 million, has remained silent over the past week, refusing to explain his presence in Downing Street, his role in Labour or whether he hopes to gain any advantage from the freebies. However friends have said that the publicity-shy donor has “hated” the coverage of the past week.
They added: “He will hate that this profile even exists. But it will not stop him donating.”
Who is Lord Alli?
Lord Alli was born in Croydon in 1964. His mother a Hindu from Trinidad and Tobago and his father a Muslim from Guyana.
He attended Stanley Technical College in South Norwood, and left school at 16 with nine O-levels before starting his career as a researcher at a finance magazine.
He then became an investment banker, a career that would set him on a path to his huge wealth, where he met his partner Charlie Parsons.
He first rose to public prominence after leaving the city, and setting up a television production company with Mr Parsons, 24 Hour Productions, which produced series including The Word.
Don't miss...
Angela Rayner could face bombshell investigation over one controversial freebie [LATEST]
Angela Rayner tears up as she takes centre stage after defending freebie holiday [LATEST]
Bridget Phillipson insists £14k donation 'wasn't used' for her 40th birthday [LATEST]
In 1992 it merged with Bob Geldof’s Planet Pictures, where Lord Alli would go on to produce shows including Big Breakfast and Survivor.
In 2003 he took over as chairman of the media firm Chorion Ltd, and later became chairman of clothing firm ASOS.
In 2011 he stepped down from Chorion and sold his half his stake in ASOS for £14.25 million.
He joined the Labour Party after being persuaded by his neighbour, senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry.
Under Tony Blair, he was used by the Prime Minister as a means of reaching out to young people.
He was ennobled as Lord Alli in 1998, aged just 34, becoming the youngest and first openly gay peer in the House of Lords. And since entering politics he has pushed for better rights for gay people, including pushing for the repeal of Section 28, and lowering the age of consent to 16.
In April 1999 he said: “I have never been confused about my sexuality. I have been confused about the way I am treated as a result of it. The only confusion lies in the prejudice shown, some of it tonight [i.e. in the House], and much of it enshrined in the law.”
How much is Lord Alli worth?
The former TV mogul is said to be worth £200 million.
According to Company Check, "the combined cash at bank value for all businesses where [he] holds a current appointment equals £2m, a combined total current assets value of £7m with a total current liabilities of £16m and a total current net worth of £-9m."
Lord Alli's property investments
Lord Alli also has an extensive property portfolio, including a house in north London, and an £18 million penthouse in Covent Garden.
He also owns a £2.5 million flat in Manhattan, which Angela Rayner stayed at with her friend Sam Tarry, and a rental property in Guyana.
