Scott Benton appeared to tell undercover reporters that companies ensure hospitality is valued at just less than £300 so MPs avoid having to declare it in Parliament
“So a lot of companies try to be quite cute about the level of the hospitality to make sure it falls just under so people don’t have to declare it, it normally works for the company. And it normally works for MPs as well.”for Betting and Gaming, posing as investors interested in the gambling industry.after initial footage appeared to show him offering to lobby ministers on behalf of gambling investors and “put parliamentary questions on the table” in exchange for money.
He also appeared to suggest he was willing to leak a confidential policy document to the supposed investors.parliamentary lobbyingThe MP said he would refer himself to the parliamentary standards commissioner – but the Government acted to suspend him while the investigation proceeds. Mr Benton has declared hospitality worth £8,600 since June 2021, including tickets from gambling operators, to Ascot, Wimbledon and the women’s European championships.
The latest revelations are likely to raise further questions about the scale of lobbying in Westminster and the risk of improper links between outside influencers and MPs sitting on APPGs.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labour claims Rishi Sunak has 'lost control of MPs' after Scott Benton stingLabour claims Rishi Sunak has 'lost control of MPs' after Scott Benton filmed in undercover sting
Read more »
Scott Benton's corporate freebies boasting 'puts all MPs under microscope'In the video, the laughing MP says that lots of the events he goes to fall just under the £300 threshold needed to declare them.
Read more »
Win one of ten £300 theatre gift cards, thanks to Theatre TokensWE are back with another great Theatre Tokens competition, and this time we are giving away TEN £300 Theatre Token gift cards! On Sunday, April 2 the Olivier Awards with Mastercard took place …
Read more »
Win one of ten £300 theatre gift cards, thanks to Theatre TokensWE are back with another great Theatre Tokens competition, and this time we are giving away TEN £300 Theatre Token gift cards! On Sunday, April 2 the Olivier Awards with Mastercard took place …
Read more »
Scott Benton claims he was 'suspicious of bogus gambling firm'In footage recorded by the Times, Mr Benton suggested he would be happy to be paid between up to £4,000 a month to help the company
Read more »
Scott Benton was 'suspicious of bogus gambling firm' before sting emergedIn footage recorded by the Times, the Conservative MP suggested he would be happy to be paid between up to £4,000 a month to help the company
Read more »