SIR KEIR STARMER was forced to defend taking a private jet paid for by Qatar today after attacking PM Rishi Sunak’s “private jet habit.”

The Labour leader, along with three members of staff, availed himself of the aircraft between the Dubai Cop28 climate conference and Doha to meet the Emir of Qatar, parliamentary records show.

He insisted there is a “distinction” between his freebie flight, worth more than £25,000, and using private jets to travel within England where there were rail alternatives.

The only way he could meet with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for key talks about the hostage situation in Gaza, with Qatar having played a major role in negotiations, was “on a plane that he provided,” he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.

Senior Labour figures including deputy leader Angela Rayner have attacked the Prime Minister over his “expensive private jet habit” as he frequently shuns train travel for short flights.