Rayner spent new year in luxury NYC flat owned by Labour donor Lord Alli

Angela Rayner enjoyed stunning views of Manhattan and the Empire State Building on new year’s eve from a $2.5 million flat lent by the Labour donor at the centre of the row over freebies, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Deputy Prime Minister spent five nights in the luxury Manhattan apartment, with views over New York from the 56th floor of a skyscraper.

The two-bedroom property – totalling 1,300 sq ft – was lent to Ms Rayner by Lord Alli, the Labour peer, from Dec 29 to Jan 2 last year.

According to the parliamentary register of interests, Ms Rayner was given a flat as accommodation for five nights to enjoy a “personal holiday”, which she said was worth an estimated £1,250 overall.

The entry did not disclose any further details.

The Telegraph can, however, reveal that the skyscraper where Ms Rayner stayed includes a roof deck, courtyard and three-storey fitness suite featuring a gym, jacuzzi and pool.

The building’s website describes it as being at the heart of the theatre district and says it has multiple sundecks with “incredible views” which include Manhattan, the Hudson river and New Jersey. It is also a short walk to Times Square.

Ownership records of the property are unclear, but Lord Alli, 59, is listed as its current resident and his partner has previously posted pictures on social media of the views from the 60-storey skyscraper.

A source told The Telegraph that Lord Alli has used the flat for around a decade and often lends it to family and friends.

“He does have family and friends come to stay from time to time,” he said, adding that Lord Alli himself only visits around twice a year.

He said Lord Alli’s guests “do seem important” and he does not think the peer has any other apartments in New York City.

Lord Alli’s property has views of the Empire State building and “faces downtown towards the river and Midtown... it’s a nice flat”, they said.

Other people who live in the building include “directors, Broadway, off-Broadway actors... [and] semi-important people”.

The source added that, on average, a two-bedroom flat in the high rise would rent for around $6,000 (£4,500) a month and added that Lord Alli is a “very nice, polite gentleman” who keeps to himself.

Details about the flat Ms Rayner stayed in while on holiday raise fresh questions if the appropriate value has been declared.

A property of the same specification 20 floors down is currently on sale for $2,250,000, with the Empire State Building clearly visible from its living room in promotional material.

A similar two-bedroom flat on the 24th floor is currently up for rent at $7,000 a month while a one-bedroom above 50 storeys is going for $5,000 a month.

A short-term let would be more expensive and nearby hotels for the same dates this year start at a minimum of £1,200 for five days for a three-star hotel while most with similar facilities to Lord Alli’s flat cost upwards of £3,000.

Two-bedroom listings on AirBnB in the area for the same dates this year are listed for upwards of around £2,000 for the same days that Ms Rayner stayed in New York.

Labour is facing a growing “cronyism” row over donations and gifts from Lord Alli who was previously given a pass to No 10 despite having no official government role.

The Labour peer, who is worth £200 million, has also given Sir Keir Starmer tens of thousands of pounds to spend on suits and spectacles, while Lady Starmer has also been given £5,000 worth of clothes and personal shopping.

On Thursday, The Telegraph revealed that the Prime Minister repeatedly used a luxury £18 million penthouse owned by Lord Alli during the general election campaign.

The Labour leader was at the property in the Covent Garden area of London on election night to watch the 10pm exit poll results with close aides and family.

It is understood the 5,000 sq ft home was also used for strategy meetings with Sir Keir in the run-up to the election, as well as fundraising dinners.

The disclosure raises questions about Sir Keir’s declarations of the support he received from Lord Alli, whose donations for clothing and glasses have already come under heavy scrutiny.

The Prime Minister has declared £20,400 for “accommodation” from the Labour peer during and just after the election campaign but no detail has been published about what is included.

Labour said all donations had been declared and it had no further comment when asked about Ms Rayner’s holiday.