Britain to Close Hospitality Declaration Loophole for Ministers

The British government plans to rectify a loophole that exempted ministers from declaring hospitality received. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden stated the move comes in response to criticism and aims to align rules for ministers and opposition alike. The announcement follows a Labour lawmaker's resignation over related issues.

The British government has announced plans to close a loophole that had allowed ministers to avoid declaring hospitality they received, said Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden on Sunday. The decision comes amid scrutiny over donations for clothing and gifts, and was emphasized following the resignation of a Labour lawmaker who protested Prime Minister Keir Starmer's approach to child poverty and the acceptance of such donations.

McFadden highlighted the discrepancy in rules between ministers and their opposition counterparts. "There's been an imbalance in the rules here between ministers and shadow ministers, where ministers have not had to declare in the past hospitality they've received," he stated. "We will close that loophole going forward." He defended the legitimacy of donations used during the recent campaign, stressing that the donor did not seek undue influence.

The resignation of lawmaker Rosie Duffield, who expressed long-standing disillusionment with the party and its leader, further fueled the debate. "I think you can see that she's been disillusioned with the party leader, with the party maybe more generally, for quite a long time," McFadden noted. "I'm disappointed to see her go ... but ultimately I'm not surprised at the decision that she's made."

(With inputs from agencies.)