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With statement astir free gifts for MPs a moving taxable of nan Labour Party’s yearly conference, BBC Sport has looked into really galore 'freebie' tickets to sports events ministers person received this year.
We looked astatine nan registry of MPs' declarations of financial interests betwixt 1 January and 2 September 2024 - nan past clip nan database was updated - and found:
Prime Minister and Arsenal instrumentality Sir Keir Starmer received nan astir hospitality tickets of immoderate MP for matches successful nan Premier League, Championship and Champions League totalling conscionable nether £13,000 - donated to him by nan 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, nan Premier League gave retired free tickets weighted astatine £40,994 to MPs from respective governmental parties.
The Premier League's giveaways - which besides included Brit Awards hospitality passes worthy complete £6,500 passed connected to 5 Labour MPs - person travel astatine a clip of ongoing uncertainty complete nan implementation of an independent regulator successful English football.
The Football Governance Bill was announced by nan erstwhile Conservative authorities and reintroduced by Labour earlier this summer.
But nan Premier League has warned that a regulator could unleash "unintended consequences". A clause successful nan original measure which says nan regulator must abide by nan UK government’s "foreign and waste and acquisition argumentation objectives" is coming nether significant unit from Uefa, European football's governing body.
The authorities is expected to put a caller type of nan measure earlier Parliament successful nan coming months.
A Premier League spokesperson told nan BBC: "The Premier League engages pinch a wide scope of individuals including MPs. Like each industries, including galore sports organisations, this is normal practice."
MPs are obliged to state donations and extra-parliamentary income wrong 28 days.
The ministerial code, which specifications nan behaviour expected of authorities ministers, says: "No Minister should judge gifts, hospitality aliases services from anyone which would, aliases mightiness look to, spot him aliases her nether an obligation."
In nan past, Starmer has declared thousands of pounds worthy of tickets and hospitality for Arsenal matches, from nan nine itself, different clubs, nan Premier League and commercialized companies, since becoming Labour leader successful 2020.
Between January and September this year, Starmer was fixed hospitality tickets to watch Arsenal's distant matches against West Ham, Brighton, Wolves, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United by each of nan respective clubs.
He was besides fixed tickets for nan Championship crippled betwixt Norwich and Sunderland astatine Carrow Road, which he attended pinch erstwhile protector chancellor and Norwich instrumentality Ed Balls, arsenic good arsenic tickets totalling £3,000 for Arsenal's location Champions League lucifer against Porto by nan Premier League.
Starmer's usage of seats successful nan directors' container for Arsenal's location matches astatine Emirates Stadium is not listed arsenic a aid because those tickets are not imaginable to purchase.
The Labour Party declined to comment, but Starmer told Radio 4’s Today programme connected Wednesday: "I understand why group are asking those questions [about free tickets]. As a consequence of security, I can't spell successful nan guidelines immoderate more, truthful Arsenal person said 'be our impermanent successful nan directors' container if and erstwhile you tin make it to a match'.
"It intends I tin proceed to do thing which is really typical to maine pinch my boy."
Manchester City are nan nine which has fixed distant nan highest number of free shot tickets to MPs successful 2024 truthful far, pinch its full reaching £4,528.
If euphony events are taken into account, past Liverpool apical nan pile, having talented a mixed £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, while nan fig for nan EFL is £3,570.
An FA spokesperson told nan BBC that a "very mini number" of tickets spell to politicians and that past play it provided much than 20,000 complimentary tickets to its "community and kindness partners".
They added: "We big cardinal stakeholders astatine each of our events astatine Wembley Stadium and crossed nan country, whether they are from nan shot family, organization groups, charities, commercialized partners, nan media, ex-players and governmental guests."
An EFL spokesperson said: "It is important that nan EFL and parliamentarians proceed to meet regularly to talk existent issues straight affecting nan crippled but besides nan section communities our clubs represent. Providing a humble number of tickets successful our hospitality areas for EFL finals has ever proved to beryllium an effective measurement to transportation retired this type of engagement."
Five MPs – 4 of them from nan Conservative Party - were fixed hospitality tickets to nan Formula 1 British Grand Prix weekend, pinch a worth totalling £18,921, by nan Silverstone circuit's operators.
The Lawn Tennis Association talented tickets weighted astatine £5,700 to 8 MPs from different parties, while golf's R&A talented tickets worthy conscionable complete £2,000 to 4 MPs for The Open astatine St Andrews.
Around £8,500 worthy of hospitality passes went to MPs attending nan Grand National, fixed by companies including backstage wellness patient Randox, commercialized racing institution The Jockey Club and Cheltenham Racecourse.
Other MPs are among recipients of nan highest full rate worth of summons donations:
Former caput of authorities for Northern Ireland Dame Karen Bradley was fixed free hospitality tickets pinch a full worth of £10,400 for nan British Grand Prix, Grand National and 2 FA Cup games astatine Wembley.
Labour MP James Frith was fixed nan largest individual free walk to a sports event, having been awarded £4,812 by IT institution Atos for tickets, accommodation and nutrient for 8 days astatine nan Olympic Games successful Paris. He was besides talented tickets for 2 Premier League games worthy a mixed £3,571 by mobile telephone institution Three.
Lucy Powell, who served arsenic protector curate for athletics successful nan build-up to Labour’s wide predetermination victory, was fixed tickets weighted astatine £4,174 to be shot matches involving Manchester City and Manchester United, arsenic good arsenic nan British Grand Prix and Grand National.
No free sports summons donations are documented for leader of nan guidance Rishi Sunak. The erstwhile premier curate was pictured astatine Southampton matches during nan club's Championship promotion campaign, but his attendance astatine those events is not listed successful Parliament's registry of members' financial interests.
The BBC has besides contacted nan Conservative Party, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, nan Lawn Tennis Association, nan 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 nan Brit Awards worthy £1,250 – 2 March 2024
Liz Kendall – 2 hospitality tickets for nan Brit Awards worthy £1,500 – 2 March 2024
Peter Kyle - 1 hospitality summons for nan Brit Awards worthy £1,500 – 2 March 2024
Pat McFadden - 2 hospitality summons for nan 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 nan 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 arena 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 - family 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 nan 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 pinch 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 nan British Grand Prix worthy £464 – 7 July 2024
Total = £18,921
Grand National
Conservative:
Karen Bradley - 2 hospitality tickets for nan Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Kevin Hollinrake - 2 hospitality tickets for nan Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by Cheltenham Racecourse)
Labour:
Lucy Powell - 2 hospitality tickets for nan Grand National worthy £1,800– 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
David Baines – 2 hospitality tickets for nan Grand National worthy £1,800 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Bill Esterson - 1 hospitality tickets for nan Grand National worthy £900 – 13 April 2024 (paid for by The Jockey Club)
Kim Johnson - 2 hospitality tickets for nan 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
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