British Member of Parliament investigated for advisory role for BGC

Laurence Robertson, a Conservative MP, is being investigated by the UK Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding his association with the Betting and Gaming Council, following a report by NationalWorld. The media outlet suggested that Robertson’s £2,000-per-month position may violate regulations.

Since the Owen Paterson controversy in 2021, a new code has been implemented that prohibits MPs from providing paid parliamentary advice. This code explicitly states that MPs cannot offer or accept paid parliamentary advice, which includes services as a parliamentary consultant, strategist, or advisor.

Although Robertson assumed his position with the BGC in October 2020, prior to the implementation of the ban, NationalWorld claims to have contacted him following the rule change, and he purportedly confirmed that his role had not altered.

The MP for Tewkesbury’s position at the BGC was initially listed as “parliamentary adviser” in the register of members’ financial interests, but it has since been changed to “advisor”. However, Laurence Robertson has denied any impropriety and stated that he has never provided parliamentary advice to the BGC.

NationalWorld has reported that Robertson has attended almost all significant horse racing events since 2014, courtesy of the industry, including visits to Goodwood, Ascot, the Grand National, Epsom, York, Newbury, Chepstow, and Doncaster.

Scott Benton, the Conservative MP for Blackpool South, was suspended last month after The Times released footage of him offering to lobby ministers on behalf of the gambling industry. In undercover footage filmed by reporters posing as gambling investors, Benton offered to table parliamentary questions and leak a copy of the government’s delayed gambling white paper to them 48 hours before its publication.