Peter Kyle is undeclared Friend of Israel

Declassified UK have published a damning investigation into UK Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and his relationship with Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). Their findings have led to deeply concerning allegations of an ‘egregious’ breach to the ministerial code.

And it comes with receipts:

🚨🚨Trade Secretary @peterkyle accused of ‘egregious’ breach of rules.

Kyle is responsible for arms exports to Israel – but failed to declare he's a 'member' of Labour Friends of Israel (which once described itself as a “lobby group” working to “promote" Israel).…

— Martin Williams (@martinrw) January 20, 2026

Kyle is a Labour Friend of Israel

Declassified UK reported that Kyle has previously recorded no existing membership to LFI on the List of Ministerial Interests, despite seven other members of the government feeling able to do so. Rachel Reeves and David Lammy are mentioned as two of the cabinet ministers acting in the interests of the genocidal state of Israel.

We’ve previously reported on the funding the UK PM has received from Israeli lobby groups. We refer here to Trevor Chinn funding Starmer to the tune of £50,000 during his crooked Labour leadership campaign:

Throughout the Labour leadership election, Starmer consistently refused to name the full list of those who donated to his campaign.

Starmer’s lack of transparency was challenged by fellow candidates. In February, Rebecca Long-Bailey published a full donor list of those who offered more than £1,500 to her campaign. Starmer, the front-runner, did not follow suit.

Declassified UK reported that LFI once declared itself as a ‘lobby group’ that’s intention was to ‘promote the State of Israel’. Sticking true to fashion, the group does not declare who its funders are.

Impunity

The investigation references an event that Kyle spoke at recently, reported by the Jewish Chronicle. At the pro-Israel event, the Trade Secretary appeared to try to curry favour with the crowd who were anxious about reinstating all arms supplies to the murderous state. Insisting he was still a member of LFI despite standing down as vice chair before joining government, Kyle seems oblivious to the legality he is flagrantly breaking.

Impunity for Israel and its supporters, eh?

The investigation states:

Concerns have also been raised that membership of the group may, in itself, be at odds with the Ministerial Code which bans any association with organisations “whose objectives may in any degree conflict with government policy”.

LFI has frequently opposed government policy, including publicly saying that it “strongly disagree[s]” with Keir Starmer’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state last year.

In 2024, LFI also opposed the government’s policy over arms export licenses to Israel, saying that it was “deeply concerned” by the partial suspension.

Declassified UK cites former Lib Dem minister Norman Baker as saying:

“It is completely wrong for ministers to belong to Labour Friends of Israel whose policies, especially their rejection of a Palestinian state, are in direct conflict with government policy. They should immediately resign from this group.

It is particularly egregious in the case of Peter Kyle who is in charge of arms exports to Israel and unlike other ministers hasn’t even registered his membership of this group.”

No comment has been offered by the Cabinet Office spokesperson, on behalf of the government and its own Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, Sir Laurie Magnus.

British government a ‘patsy’ for Israel

With great power comes great responsibility. Those with a seat at the table governing our country must own their actions and associations. Other cabinet ministers have shown those allegiances without shame. Either Kyle is ashamed of this connection, which we can understand. Or, he doesn’t think it a conflict of interest to use the power and influence of his position for a genocidal state. That last one seems way more likely.

As Baker said himself, reported by Declassified UK:

Keir Starmer should deal with this matter directly and urgently. Failure to do so will only reinforce the view held by many that the British government is a patsy for the very unpleasant Israeli government.

But whether Starmer will grow a spine and discipline Kyle for an undisclosed relationship with LFI remains to be seen. After all, he’s been so happy to arm Israel’s genocide. So, breaking legal rules for a foreign state hasn’t been a problem so far.

Featured image via the Canary