Recently-installed UK PM Andy Burnham is facing accusations of failing to properly disclose a £6,600 VIP event he attended in Japan before returning to Parliament, adding another controversy over political freebies and transparency.
The exclusive reception was held in Osaka in June last year while Burnham was Mayor of Greater Manchester and leading a five-day trade mission, but it reportedly did not appear in his subsequent register of financial interests.
Incoming MPs are required to disclose relevant interests from the preceding 12 months, although Downing Street argues Burnham’s trip began before the applicable registration period.
Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst has challenged that explanation, saying Burnham should “declare this immediately and apologise for his carelessness,” or face scrutiny from the parliamentary standards commissioner. No 10 said Burnham attended the trip in his official mayoral capacity and maintains it was not registrable, although the issue is reportedly being examined again.
The row is particularly awkward given Burnham’s substantial record of declared political support and hospitality: his first register after becoming Prime Minister reportedly included almost £350,000 in donations received during the preceding four months, alongside Glastonbury tickets and accommodation valued at £2,520 and hospitality at Aintree.
TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign director William Yarwood condemned the wider culture of political freebies, arguing that taxpayers struggling with heavy taxation would see such hospitality as evidence that the “Westminster gravy train” continues unabated.
