'Tory sleaze is back', says Starmer after MP caught in lobbying sting

Sir Keir Starmer has claimed “Tory sleaze is back” after a Conservative MP was caught in a sting operation offering to lobby on behalf of the gambling industry.

The Labour leader said the findings of an investigation by The Times involving Scott Benton showed a “flagrant disregard” for parliament’s rules and principles.

Speaking on a visit to Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, Sir Keir added: “I think it is really important we have rules and regulations, and transparency, so that wherever anyone accepts hospitality we know what has happened.

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The Labour leader added the episode was “not a one-off” and cited a similar undercover sting in which the anti-Brexit campaign group, Led by Donkeys, created a sham company before approaching 20 MPs from different parties asking if they would join the firm’s international advisory board.

“I think all of this shows that the prime minister has lost a grip and, if ever we needed further evidence this is it, that Tory sleaze is back,” he said.

Mr Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, was last night suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party after he was shown in footage appearing to indicate he would be willing to break lobbying rules for money.

It means he can stay on as an MP but will have to sit as an independent while a Conservative Party investigation is under way.

Mr Benton met undercover reporters from The Times who were posing as employees of TAHR Partners – a fake company lobbying to influence government policy – at a central London hotel in March.

The newspaper had been investigating allegations the gambling industry has secured support from MPs in exchange for financial reward.

Mr Benton, who is the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for betting and gaming, responded and suggested he would be happy to be paid between £2,000 and £4,000 a month to help the fake company – which came complete with a logo, website and office addresses in London and Chennai.

This is in spite of strict rules that ban MPs from carrying out paid lobbying or advising how to influence parliament in exchange for pay, or the expectation of pay.

Mr Benton ultimately did not accept any financial payment arising from the meeting and there is no suggestion he broke any parliamentary rules as a result.

However, during the course of the video recorded by the Times, the Conservative MP showed a willingness to break parliamentary rules and leak the government’s long-awaited gambling review, which is expected to be published around Easter following a number of delays.

In a statement, Mr Benton told Sky News: “Last month I was approached by a purported company offering me an expert advisory role.

“I met with two individuals claiming to represent the company to find out what this role entailed. After this meeting, I was asked to forward my CV and some other personal details. I did not do so as I was concerned that what was being asked of me was not within parliamentary rules.

“I contacted the Commons Registrar and the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner who clarified these rules for me and had no further contact with the company. I did this before being made aware that the company did not exist and the individuals claiming to represent it were journalists.”

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