2 months ago
14
With statement astir escaped gifts for MPs a moving taxable of the Labour Party’s yearly conference, BBC Sport has looked into however galore 'freebie' tickets to sports events ministers person received this year.
We looked astatine the registry of MPs' declarations of fiscal interests betwixt 1 January and 2 September 2024 - the past clip the database was updated - and found:
Prime Minister and Arsenal instrumentality Sir Keir Starmer received the astir hospitality tickets of immoderate MP for matches successful the Premier League, Championship and Champions League totalling conscionable nether £13,000 - donated to him by the Premier League and 7 English clubs.
The Premier League besides talented Starmer an further £4,000 worthy of hospitality tickets for a Taylor Swift performance astatine Wembley Stadium successful June.
In this eight-month period, the Premier League gave retired escaped tickets valued astatine £40,994 to MPs from respective governmental parties.
The Premier League's giveaways - which besides included Brit Awards hospitality passes worthy implicit £6,500 passed connected to 5 Labour MPs - person travel astatine a clip of ongoing uncertainty implicit the implementation of an autarkic regulator successful English football.
The Football Governance Bill was announced by the erstwhile Conservative authorities and reintroduced by Labour earlier this summer.
But the Premier League has warned that a regulator could unleash "unintended consequences". A clause successful the archetypal measure which says the regulator indispensable abide by the UK government’s "foreign and commercialized argumentation objectives" is coming nether significant unit from Uefa, European football's governing body.
The authorities is expected to enactment a caller mentation of the measure earlier Parliament successful the coming months.
A Premier League spokesperson told the BBC: "The Premier League engages with a wide scope of individuals including MPs. Like each industries, including galore sports organisations, this is mean practice."
MPs are obliged to state donations and extra-parliamentary income wrong 28 days.
The ministerial code, which details the behaviour expected of authorities ministers, says: "No Minister should judge gifts, hospitality oregon services from anyone which would, oregon mightiness look to, spot him oregon her nether an obligation."
In the past, Starmer has declared thousands of pounds worthy of tickets and hospitality for Arsenal matches, from the nine itself, different clubs, the Premier League and commercialized companies, since becoming Labour person successful 2020.
Between January and September this year, Starmer was fixed hospitality tickets to ticker Arsenal's distant matches against West Ham, Brighton, Wolves, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United by each of the respective clubs.
He was besides fixed tickets for the Championship crippled betwixt Norwich and Sunderland astatine Carrow Road, which helium attended with erstwhile shadiness chancellor and Norwich instrumentality Ed Balls, arsenic good arsenic tickets totalling £3,000 for Arsenal's location Champions League lucifer against Porto by the Premier League.
Starmer's usage of seats successful the directors' container for Arsenal's location matches astatine Emirates Stadium is not listed arsenic a donation due to the fact that those tickets are not imaginable to purchase.
The Labour Party declined to comment, but Starmer told Radio 4’s Today programme connected Wednesday: "I recognize wherefore radical are asking those questions [about escaped tickets]. As a effect of security, I can't spell successful the basal immoderate more, truthful Arsenal person said 'be our impermanent successful the directors' container if and erstwhile you tin marque it to a match'.
"It means I tin proceed to bash thing which is truly peculiar to maine with my boy."
Manchester City are the nine which has fixed distant the highest fig of escaped shot tickets to MPs successful 2024 truthful far, with its full reaching £4,528.
If euphony events are taken into account, past Liverpool apical the pile, having talented a combined £5,776 worthy of tickets for matches and Swift's Eras Tour events astatine Anfield to Merseyside MPs.
The Football Association gave distant a full of £7,152 worthy of tickets, portion the fig for the EFL is £3,570.
An FA spokesperson told the BBC that a "very tiny number" of tickets spell to politicians and that past play it provided much than 20,000 complimentary tickets to its "community and foundation partners".
They added: "We big cardinal stakeholders astatine each of our events astatine Wembley Stadium and crossed the country, whether they are from the shot family, assemblage groups, charities, commercialized partners, the media, ex-players and governmental guests."
An EFL spokesperson said: "It is important that the EFL and parliamentarians proceed to conscionable regularly to sermon existent issues straight affecting the crippled but besides the section communities our clubs represent. Providing a humble fig of tickets successful our hospitality areas for EFL finals has ever proved to beryllium an effectual mode to transportation retired this benignant of engagement."
Five MPs – 4 of them from the Conservative Party - were fixed hospitality tickets to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix weekend, with a worth totalling £18,921, by the Silverstone circuit's operators.
The Lawn Tennis Association talented tickets valued astatine £5,700 to 8 MPs from antithetic parties, portion golf's R&A talented tickets worthy conscionable implicit £2,000 to 4 MPs for The Open astatine St Andrews.
Around £8,500 worthy of hospitality passes went to MPs attending the Grand National, fixed by companies including backstage wellness steadfast Randox, commercialized racing institution The Jockey Club and Cheltenham Racecourse.
Other MPs are among recipients of the highest full currency worth of summons donations:
Former caput of authorities for Northern Ireland Dame Karen Bradley was fixed escaped hospitality tickets with a full worth of £10,400 for the British Grand Prix, Grand National and 2 FA Cup games astatine Wembley.
Labour MP James Frith was fixed the largest idiosyncratic escaped walk to a sports event, having been awarded £4,812 by IT institution Atos for tickets, accommodation and nutrient for 8 days astatine the Olympic Games successful Paris. He was besides talented tickets for 2 Premier League games worthy a combined £3,571 by mobile telephone institution Three.
Lucy Powell, who served arsenic shadiness curate for athletics successful the build-up to Labour’s wide predetermination victory, was fixed tickets valued astatine £4,174 to be shot matches involving Manchester City and Manchester United, arsenic good arsenic the British Grand Prix and Grand National.
No escaped sports summons donations are documented for person of the absorption Rishi Sunak. The erstwhile premier curate was pictured astatine Southampton matches during the club's Championship promotion campaign, but his attendance astatine those events is not listed successful Parliament's registry of members' fiscal interests.
The BBC has besides contacted the Conservative Party, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, the Lawn Tennis Association, the R&A, and Silverstone for comment.
Premier League
Labour:
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan – 2 hospitality tickets worthy £900 – 22 April 2024
Dr Rupa Huq – 1 hospitality summons for the Brit Awards worthy £1,250 – 2 March 2024
Liz Kendall – 2 hospitality tickets for the Brit Awards worthy £1,500 – 2 March 2024
Peter Kyle - 1 hospitality summons for the Brit Awards worthy £1,500 – 2 March 2024
Pat McFadden - 2 hospitality summons for the Brit Awards worthy £3,000 – 2 March 2024
Sir Keir Starmer – 5 hospitality tickets for Arsenal vs Porto worthy £3,000 – 12 March 2024
Jas Athwal – 1 hospitality summons for Arsenal lucifer worthy £450 – 19 May 2024
Amanda Hack - 2 hospitality tickets for Arsenal vs Everton worthy £450 – 19 May 2024
Darren Jones – 4 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £3,400 – 20 August 2024
Catherine McKinnell – 2 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £2,000 – 21 June 2024
Joe Morris - 2 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £1,660 – 20 August 2024
Jake Richards - 1 hospitality summons for the Brit awards worthy £1,250 – 2 March 2024
Keir Starmer - 4 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £4,000 – 21 June 2024
Mike Tapp - 1 hospitality summons for Arsenal vs Everton worthy £450 – 19 May 2024
Fred Thomas - 2 hospitality tickets for Arsenal vs Everton worthy £900 – 19 May 2024
Chris Ward - 2 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £1,660 – 20 August 2024
Conservative:
Dame Karen Bradley – 3 hospitality tickets to FA Cup semi-final worthy £2,634 – 20 April 2024
Steve Brine - 2 hospitality tickets to FA Cup semi-final worthy £1,756 – 20 April 2024
Brendan Clarke-Smith – 1 hospitality summons for England vs Belgium worthy £550 – 26 March 2024
Dr Therese Coffey – 1 hospitality summons to League Cup last worthy £1,100 – 25 February 2024
Dr Therese Coffey – 1 hospitality summons for lucifer worthy £550 – 26 March 2024
Damian Collins - 2 hospitality tickets to League Cup last worthy £2,200 – 25 February 2024
Mark Eastwood - 2 hospitality tickets for England vs Belgium worthy £1,100 – 26 March 2024
Justin Tomlinson - 1 hospitality summons to League Cup last worthy £1,100 – 25 February 2024
Total = £40,994
Huddersfield Town
Labour:
Kim Leadbeater – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs WBA worthy £230 – 10 March 2024
Kim Leadbeater – 3 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs Millwall worthy £316.20 – 6 April 2024
Manchester City
Labour:
Lucy Powell – 2 hospitality tickets for Man City Women vs Man Utd Women worthy £150 – 23 March 2024
Lucy Powell – 1 hospitality summons for Man City vs Arsenal worthy £420 – 31 March 2024
Lucy Powell – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs Newcastle worthy £840 – 16 March 2024
Keir Starmer – 2 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £900 – 31 March 2024
Andrew Western - 1 hospitality summons for Man City vs Newcastle FA Cup lucifer worthy £420 – 16 March 2024
Conservative:
Karen Bradley – 1 hospitality summons for FA Cup last worthy £1,798 – 25 May 2024
Total = £4,528
West Ham
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £2,000 – 11 February 2024
Norwich City
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 4 hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £820 – 2 March 2024
Brighton
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 4 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £500 – 9 April 2024
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 4 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £1,488 – 20 April 2024
Pat McFadden – 1 hospitality summons for lucifer worthy £372 – 20 April 2024
Tottenham Hotspur
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 5 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £2,500 – 28 April 2024
David Lammy - 5 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £2,500 – 28 April 2024
Manchester United
Labour:
Keir Starmer – 2 hospitality tickets for Arsenal lucifer worthy £1,790 – 12 May 2024
Conservative:
Chris Grayling – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £400 – 14 January 2024
Chris Grayling – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £400 – 24 February 2024
Wrexham
Labour:
Jo Stevens – 1 hospitality summons for Wrexham vs Stockport County worthy £360 – 27 April 2024
Peterborough United
Conservative:
Paul Bristow – 2 hospitality tickets for Bristol Street Motors Trophy last worthy £500 – 7 April 2024
Liverpool
Labour:
Dan Carden – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs Newcastle worthy £980 – 1 January 2024
Alison McGovern - 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs Wolves worthy £598 – 22 May 2024
Kim Johnson – 2 hospitality tickets to Taylor Swift astatine Anfield worthy £900 – 13 June 2024
Dan Carden – 2 hospitality tickets to Taylor Swift astatine Anfield worthy £900 – 13 June 2024
Dan Carden - 2 hospitality tickets for Jurgen Klopp leaving lawsuit worthy £598 – 28 May 2024
Ian Byrne - 2 hospitality tickets to Taylor Swift astatine Anfield worthy £900 – 13 June 2024 (paid for by nine CEO Billy Hogan)
Total = £5,776
Everton
Labour:
Dan Carden – 2 hospitality tickets for lucifer vs Luton worthy £600 – 27 January 2024
Middlesbrough
Conservative:
Sir Simon Clarke – 2 hospitality tickets worthy £250 – 23 January 2024
Sir Simon Clarke – 2 hospitality tickets worthy £250 – 16 March 2024
Oxford United
Labour:
Anneliese Dodds - household hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £305 – 4 March 2024
Cardiff City
Labour:
Stephen Doughty – 2 hospitality tickets for Wales vs Finland worthy £357.60 – 21 March 2024
Crystal Palace
Labour:
Kate Osbourne - 1 hospitality summons for lucifer worthy £360 – 30 January 2024
Coventry City
Labour:
Taiwo Owatemi – 2 hospitality tickets for FA Cup semi-final worthy £540 – 21 April 2024
Hibernian
SNP:
Tommy Shepherd – 3 hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £390 – 12 May 2024
Football Association
Conservative:
Lee Doherty - 3 hospitality tickets for Women’s FA Cup last worthy £450 – 19 April 2024
Labour:
Anneliese Dodds – 3 hospitality tickets for Women’s FA Cup last worthy £450 – 19 April 2024
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2 hospitality tickets for League Cup last worthy £476 – 25 February 2024
Preet Kaur Gill - 2 hospitality tickets for League Cup last worthy £476 – 25 February 2024
Kim Leadbeater - 2 hospitality tickets for League Cup last worthy £476 – 25 February 2024
Kim Leadbeater - 2 hospitality tickets for England vs Belgium worthy £476 – 26 March 2024
Julie Elliott - 2 hospitality tickets for England vs Belgium worthy £476 – 26 March 2024
Lucy Powell – 2 tickets to Women’s FA Cup last worthy £100 – 25 May 2024
Lucy Powell – 2 hospitality tickets for Man Utd vs Man City semi-final successful the FA Cup worthy £400 – 25 May 2024
Wes Streeting – 4 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £1,160 – 15 August 2024
Bridget Phillipson – 2 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £552.24 – 15 August 2024
Liberal Democrat:
Munira Wilson - 2 hospitality tickets for England vs Belgium worthy £476 – 26 March 2024
Munira Wilson - 3 hospitality tickets for Women’s FA Cup last worthy £600 – 12 May 2024
Ed Davey - 2 hospitality tickets for Taylor Swift astatine Wembley worthy £584 – 15 August 2024
Total = £7,152.24
Football League
Conservative:
Steve Baker – 2 hospitality tickets for Bristol Street Motors Trophy last worthy £720 – 7 April 2024
Chris Green – 2 hospitality tickets for League One play-off last worthy £800 – 18 May 2024
Labour:
Clive Betts – 1 hospitality summons for League Cup last worthy £400 – 25 February 2024
Alex Sobel – 2 hospitality tickets for Championship play-off last worthy £900 – 26 May 2024
SNP:
Stephen Flynn - 1 hospitality summons for League Cup last worthy £400 – 25 February 2024
David Linden - 1 hospitality summons for League Cup last worthy £350 – 25 February 2024
Total = £3,570
Scottish FA
Independent:
Brendan Angus MacNeil – Two hospitality tickets for lucifer worthy £798 – 20 April 2024
Silverstone
Conservative:
Sarah Bool – 2 hospitality tickets for British Grand Prix worthy £3,636 – 7 July 2024
Dame Karen Bradley – 4 tickets (two with hospitality) for British Grand Prix worthy £4,168 – 7 July 2024
Priti Patel - 2 hospitality tickets for British Grand Prix worthy £3,300 – 7 July 2024
Greg Smith - 4 hospitality tickets for British Grand Prix worthy £2,193 – 5 July 2024
Greg Smith - 2 hospitality tickets for British Grand Prix worthy £5,160 – 6 July 2024
Labour:
Lucy Powell – 2 tickets for the British Grand Prix worthy £464 – 7 July 2024
Total = £18,921
Grand National
Conservative:
Karen Bradley - 2 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Kevin Hollinrake - 2 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by Cheltenham Racecourse)
Labour:
Lucy Powell - 2 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £1,800– 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
David Baines – 2 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Bill Esterson - 1 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £900 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Kim Johnson - 2 hospitality tickets for the Grand National worthy £498– 15 April 2024 (paid for by Randox)
Total = £8,598
Wimbledon/Lawn Tennis Association
Labour:
Tracy Gilbert – 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £550 – 13 July 2024
Gordon McKee - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £550 – 14 July 2024
Stephanie Peacock – kit fixed for a sojourn to Wimbledon worthy £460 – 1 March 2024
Toby Perkins - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £1,438.24 – 11 July 2024
Bridget Phillipson - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £1,060 – 13 July 2024
Alex Sobel - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £392 – 11 July 2024
Conservative:
Helen Grant – 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £458 – 13 July 2024
Laura Trott - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £400 – 10 July 2024
Liberal Democrat:
Layla Moran - 2 tickets for Wimbledon worthy £392 – 12 July 2024
Total = £5,700.24
R&A Championships
Liberal Democrat:
Wendy Chamberlain – 2 hospitality tickets for The Open worthy £750 – 19 July 2024
Labour:
Alan Gemmell - 1 hospitality summons for The Open worthy £450 – 19 July 2024
Conservative:
John Lamont - 1 hospitality summons for The Open worthy £375 – 20 July 2024
Robbie Moore - 1 hospitality summons for The Open worthy £450 – 20 July 2024
Total = £2,025
English (US)