Should the lobbying of a state to make itself known before a World Cup be financially limited? It is well known that Qatar has never been too reluctant to spend, to “sell” its World Cup (November 20 – December 18) to the whole world. But, a priori, some targets were treated better than others. And British MPs are one of the best, according to a study by the newspaper The Observer, which the famous Guardian relayed.
According to the newspaper, the Qatari government has given gifts to British Members of Parliament worth 292,000 euros, over the past twelve months, including stays in luxury hotels, business class flights and tickets to racing… camels. More than double the amount declared in the last five years before October 2021: 117,000 euros.
In detail, thirty-four British MPs declared forty donations from Qatar over the past twelve months. Among them, twenty-two MPs were from the ruling party, the Conservatives, seven from Labour, three from the Scottish National Party and two independentists.
Nothing illegal but the amount spent by Qatar is six times higher than that offered by the United Arab Emirates, the second largest donor 44,000 euros. According to Transparency International, the leading anti-corruption civil society organisation, it is “extremely worrying” that MPs are accepting “thousands of pounds in hospitality from foreign governments whose human rights record the man is doubtful. »