Michael Gove breached financial rules over failing to declare VIP freebies, chief sleaze investigator finds

MICHAEL Gove breached Commons rules by failing to declare freebie football tickets on time, parliament’s sleaze watchdog has found.

The Levelling Up Secretary apologised for not registering VIP hospitality at three matches within the compulsory 28-day time frame.

After launching a probe, chief sleaze investigator Daniel Greenberg allowed Mr Gove to update his declaration of interests – and let him off without punishment.

The senior minister insisted the omissions were a mistake.

In a letter to Mr Greenberg he said: “I have regularly registered attendance at a number of football matches when I was in receipt of hospitality from specific organisations.

“And I have also regularly attended football matches with my son and friends when we have paid for tickets.

“I have now registered all three matches with the registrar and wish to apologise again for my failure so to do hitherto.”

Mr Gove enjoyed VIP treatment at three Queens Park Rangers games.

One came courtesy of Tory donor David Mellor in 2021.

The other two were gifted by the club in 2020 and 2022.

Mr Gove and his son enjoyed the action from the box of club chairman Amit Bhatia.

The tickets were valued at £460 and £542.

In a letter to the Levelling Up Secretary, Mr Greenberg said: “Although all four interests have been registered significantly late, I am satisfied that they can all be fairly described as minor in nature”.

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Noa Hoffman

March 26, 2024 12:11 pm