In total, 36 MPs have accepted Qatari government hospitality since last October, with three MPs receiving allowances worth more than £13,000 each.
At a time when QatarGate has caused a shock in Brussels, in an extensive article Politico refers to British MPs who in turn received gifts and a brilliant hospitality from Qatar. In particular, the Qatari government spent more than £260,000 on gifts, hospitality and travel to British MPs since last October, the report reveals.
In total, 36 MPs have accepted Qatari government hospitality since last October, with three MPs receiving allowances worth more than £13,000 each. The average trip was worth £5,922.70.
All MPs’ trips were declared in accordance with parliamentary rules, but human rights campaigners question their legality.
While there is no evidence of bribes to British MPs, some MPs who benefited from the Gulf state currently hosting the FIFA World Cup have been criticized for debates praising Qatar on human rights in the House of Commons.
Alun Cairns, a former cabinet minister and chairman of the Qatar All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), presented a debate on the country in the House of Commons in October, in which he hailed its progress on human rights in a lengthy speech.
POLITICO’s analysis as part of a wider investigation into the APPGs showed Cairns visited Qatar twice in 2022 on trips that cost a total of £9,323 including tickets, accommodation and meals.
David Mundell, a former cabinet minister and vice-chairman of Qatar’s APPG, said in the same debate about Qatar on gay rights: “Many of the people who have expressed views on this issue should also focus their efforts their handling of LGBT community issues in UK professional football’. Mundell made a visit to Qatar last year worth more than £7,000.
Lisa Cameron, an SNP MP who is another vice-chair of Qatar’s APPG, said that “the understanding of [θεμάτων ψυχικής υγείας] it’s going all over the world, including Qatar.” This year he made one visit this year worth £3,865.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Nigel Evans received the largest amount, despite his position preventing him from speaking in any debate or asking questions.
Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, said: “No politician should receive money or luxury travel from Qatar. Instead, they should speak out against the regime’s widespread human rights violations.”
Analysis of APPG records showed the group consisted of only six to 10 MPs from 2015 to 2021. Membership rose to 14 and then 17 this year.
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