Did you know that the Qatar government spent over £100,000 bringing MPs from various parties over for a chat in October?
14 MPs are listed as having accepted a package of flights, hotels and hospitality in the most recent update of Members' interests.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem…
14 MPs are listed as having accepted a package of flights, hotels and hospitality in the most recent update of Members' interests.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem…
The problem is, the trip can of course be legitimate and above-board.
And yet at the same time, because the trip's being paid for by Qatar, that inevitably leads to an additional degree of deferrence towards the hosts which colours discussions consciously or unconsciously.
And yet at the same time, because the trip's being paid for by Qatar, that inevitably leads to an additional degree of deferrence towards the hosts which colours discussions consciously or unconsciously.
Why, if foreign trips are deemed essential for whatever purpose, can't the Government simply pay for them out of some kind of central fund?
That would remove any and all obligations to be beholden to third parties.
That would remove any and all obligations to be beholden to third parties.
(This isn't meant to have a go at Qatar or at the MPs who went on the trip. All the recorded expenses look normal and above-board for their stated purpose. But it serves as a useful example to make my wider point.)
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