06 April 2023 , 17:48
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An MP stripped of the Tory whip told undercover reporters there were "ways around" strict rules forcing politicians to declare corporate hospitality.
Fresh video emerged on Thursday evening showing Scott Benton saying that MPs can put a lower value on tickets for events so they don't have to declare them.
New rules mean that MPs can't take part in debates or table questions that could be seen to benefit companies who they've accepted at least £300 of hospitality from.
Footage published by The Times showed him laughing: "So without saying too much, you'd be amazed at the number of times I've been to races and the ticket comes to £295."
Since he became an MP in 2019, Mr Benton has only declared one race meeting - an Ascot trip valued at £1,400 paid for by the Betting and Gaming Council.
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He suggested that firms are willing to give a lower cost for hospitality events, stating: “I probably shouldn’t say this, but essentially all MPs are looking for is an email chain saying this is how much a ticket cost so if we get caught out it’s like, well the company told me it cost this much.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said 'Tory sleaze is back' (PA)"And essentially what you [the company] paid for is nobody else’s business."
Mr Benton added that firms "try to be quite cute" so that costs fall below the level MPs have to claim for.
The MP was stripped of the Tory whip on Wednesday after a newspaper sting alleged he was prepared to leak policy documents to a bogus investment fund and ask parliamentary questions on its behalf.
The MP for Blackpool South was caught on camera boasting of his access to ministers to undercover reporters from The Times.
Mr Benton said he could offer “the direct ear of a minister who is actually going to make these decisions”.
He agreed with a fee proposed by the reporters in the range of £2,000 to £4,000 a month for two days’ work.
Labour leader Keir Starmer responded saying "Tory sleaze is back".
Speaking in Scunthorpe, Mr Starmer said: "It is not a one-off - only a few weeks ago we saw three other Tory MPs looking after lucrative jobs, thousands of pounds at the time, for their apparent advice.
"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."
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Transport Minister Richard Holden also described the MP's behaviour as "totally unacceptable".
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Mr Benton said: "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."
The Mirror has contacted Mr Benton for comment.