Labour MPs have accepted nearly £300,000 worth of gifts and hospitality from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Manchester City, according to an investigation. The revelation follows Manchester City's recent guilty verdict on more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Investigation details
An independent commission ruled that the club, owned by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour since 2008, used sham commercial agreements to inflate revenues and conceal more than £900 million in costs between 2009 and 2018. City denies wrongdoing and has appealed the decision.
According to an investigation by The Sun, official records show Labour MPs received approximately £275,000 in UAE-funded trips and hospitality, alongside £14,000 worth of Manchester City tickets and benefits. The freebies include luxury trips, flights, accommodation and VIP football tickets.
Breakdown by party
Labour received the largest share of UAE-funded hospitality, with nearly £275,000 recorded across 28 entries involving 25 MPs. Conservative politicians received approximately £175,000 across 43 entries, while SNP MPs accepted more than £15,000. Liberal Democrats received £3,500 and Reform UK £1,000.
Labour deputy leader and Education Secretary Lucy Powell was among those who accepted Manchester City hospitality. The Manchester Central MP received tickets to five matches over 11 months, valued at £2,360, including an £840 VIP ticket for City's match against Newcastle United in March 2024.
Other recipients
Labour MP Andrew Western accepted hospitality for four matches, while Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith attended four games, including the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester United. Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also received a £900 ticket for City's match against Arsenal in March 2024.
Across all parties, MPs have declared more than £467,000 in UAE-funded hospitality since 2012, including £23,519 registered in 2026.
Reactions
William Yarwood, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers will be concerned to hear that politicians are receiving gifts that may lead to conflicts of interest." He added that hospitality provided by Manchester City raised "serious questions about foreign influence and transparency".
Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously faced criticism for expressing concern about the possibility of City losing its owners following the commission's ruling. He later clarified that football-related issues should be separated from the owners' wider investment in Manchester. The Daily Express has reached out to Lucy Powell for a comment.
