Sir Keir is a man of “enormous integrity”, Pat McFadden has insisted amid the row over the Prime Minister and his wife accepting thousands of pounds’ worth of freebies.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster defended Sir Keir after he originally failed to declare donations to his wife from Lord Alli.

In an interview with the Guardian, Mr McFadden said: “This is not somebody who thinks that somehow the rules don’t apply to them, or there’s one rule for him and another one for others, like predecessors that have occupied his post.

“He is a person of enormous integrity, and that will be reflected in the way that he operates.”

The Cabinet minister pointed to the fact that Sir Keir did approach the parliamentary authorities last week following advice, and added: “He will, and does, conduct himself with integrity.

“If you take the story that’s been going around in the last few days, it’s because of taking advice and trying to make sure you abide by the rules. And he’ll want to do that every time.”