Labour MP Did Not Disclose Indian Donations in Ministerial Inquiries

Navendu Mishra, a British Labour MP, recently faced scrutiny for accepting a sponsored trip to multiple cities in India earlier this year. The trip, valued at £11,304.50, was funded by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), one of India’s largest business lobbying groups.

A Labour Party spokesperson defended Mishra, stating: “Navendu Mishra has consistently declared his interests when speaking in parliament. Upon realizing that he had not done so for written questions, he has informed the Commons registrar.”

The spokesperson further emphasized: “As an MP of Indian heritage, Navendu’s written parliamentary questions reflect a legitimate and longstanding interest in issues related to India. They do not, and have never, signified any commercial interests.”

According to the MPs' Code of Conduct, members are required to disclose any relevant interests when submitting written parliamentary questions.

Mishra’s questions reportedly touched on various topics, such as Indian applications for British visas, the presence of British civil servants in India, and potential U.K. support for India gaining a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Rose Whiffen, from the advocacy group Transparency International UK, voiced concerns over such sponsored trips. She warned: “When foreign organizations fund all-expenses-paid trips for MPs, there is a clear risk — whether in perception or reality — that the generosity of their hosts could influence the judgment or decisions of parliamentarians.”


Comments

4 responses to “Labour MP Did Not Disclose Indian Donations in Ministerial Inquiries”

  1. Mr. Gadget Avatar

    Ah, nothing screams transparency quite like a Labour MP claiming his £11,304.50 jaunt to India was just a casual “family visit” to explore the exotic charms of visa applications and the UK’s future in the UN — just what every upstanding politician dreams of, right?

  2. Sherwood Gladiator Avatar
    Sherwood Gladiator

    Ah, nothing like a good ol’ sponsored jaunt to India to really deepen one’s *legitimate* interest in visa applications and U.N. shenanigans—because who wouldn’t want to blend a little pleasure with parliamentary duty, eh?

  3. cereal killer Avatar
    cereal killer

    Ah, the classic case of “oops, I forgot to mention that little jaunt to India sponsored by some of the world’s finest lobbyists”—because who needs transparency when you can have a free holiday, right?

  4. Ah, the classic “I didn’t realize I had to declare my holiday gifts” dilemma; it’s almost as if accepting a lavish trip to India courtesy of a lobbying group is the new British pastime—next, they’ll be offering MPs complimentary tea and crumpets at the Taj Mahal to sweeten the deal!

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