MPs accept £340,000 worth of sporting freebies over the past year including tickets to Premier League games and the World Cup in Qatar
- The tickets were gifted by gambling, construction and investment companies
More than 120 MPs have accepted a total of £340,000 worth of sporting freebies over the past year — including £12,400 taken by Sir Keir Starmer from sources such as a Turkey-based grocery app.
Members of Parliament have enjoyed free tickets and hospitality at some of the world’s biggest sporting events, among them the football World Cup in Qatar and Premier League games, gifted by the gambling industry, construction companies and investment firms.
In some cases, politicians were able to bag multiple tickets for fixtures sold out to the general public.
Members of Parliament have enjoyed free tickets and hospitality at some of the world’s biggest sporting events, among them the football World Cup in Qatar (pictured)
More than 120 MPs logged trips to sporting events between November 1, 2022, and October 30 this year, according to figures collated from the MPs’ Register of Financial Interests.
Critics said the free tickets could lead to MPs being influenced by the companies providing them.
Labour leader Sir Keir, an Arsenal fan, attended six away matches for his club, including sought-after London derbies against Tottenham and West Ham.
Among those supplying him with the tickets – worth £12,428 in total – were grocery delivery service Getir, construction outfit Mulalley and Co and real estate investment firm Cain International.
Last year, Sir Keir was investigated over failures to declare his financial interests on time, and was forced to assure the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner that it will not happen again.
Home Secretary James Cleverly received two tickets with hospitality for a Tottenham football match, worth £877.98, from car dealership Glyn Hopkin.
Labour MP Lucy Powell, shadow leader of the House of Commons, took the most freebies – 16 in total worth £18,461. They included Ashes Test matches between England and Australia, the Rugby League World Cup final and Manchester United vs Manchester City in the Premier League.
Tory MPs Nigel Adams, who left the Commons in June, Ranil Jayawardena and Philip Davies all attended the World Cup in Qatar last winter thanks to the Qatar Embassy, which provided flights, accommodation and hospitality. That amounted to a total value of £9,280.
Labour leader Sir Keir, an Arsenal fan, attended six away matches for his club, including sought-after London derbies against Tottenham and West Ham (Pictured: Keir Starmer in the stands at a Crystal Palace v Arsenal game in Selhurst Park, London in August)
Horse racing and football were the most popular jaunts.
Sue Hawley, from campaign group Spotlight on Corruption, said: ‘The public, who have faced one of the worst cost of living crisis in decades, are likely to be appalled that MPs are getting free junkets to sports events.
‘These kinds of donations are rarely given without the person behind the gift wanting increased access or to enhance their reputation.
‘If MPs are going to accept this kind of expensive hospitality, then they need to provide much greater transparency about exactly what has been discussed during these cosy chats.’
Transparency International UK head of investigations Steve Goodrich said: ‘Sporting events offer companies an important opportunity to lobby parliamentarians and ingratiate themselves with those in power.
Home Secretary James Cleverly received two tickets with hospitality for a Tottenham football match, worth £877.98, from car dealership Glyn Hopkin
Labour MP Lucy Powell, shadow leader of the House of Commons, took the most freebies – 16 in total worth £18,461
‘When MPs accept generous gifts and hospitality, it does little to assure the public that privileged access and political influence cannot be bought.’
Accepting hospitality is not against the rules for MPs, provided it is declared in the House of Commons register of interest within 28 days if it exceeds £300.
A Government spokesman said: ‘The code of conduct for MPs sets the rules concerning what MPs must declare and is a matter for Parliament.’
Labour were contacted for comment.
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