UK MP Scott Benton Suspended Following Gambling Sting

During the newspaper’s investigation, Benton was offered a role in a fake company set up for the purposes of the sting. The reporters, who posed as gambling industry investors, offered Benton the role in return for lobbying in parliament.

Benton can be seen on secretly filmed footage offering to ask questions in parliament, leak official policy documents, and ‘call in favors’ from his colleagues in parliament of behalf of the investors. He also revealed that he had “easy access” to ministers of government should the investors have any questions that needed addressing immediately.

“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.”

According to the U.K. parliament’s code of conduct, MPs cannot lobby on any issue in return for payment.

Image credit: UK Parliament / CC BY 3.0

Ciaran McEneaney

UK MP Scott Benton Suspended Following Gambling Sting