DUP MP Apologizes for Undisclosed Sponsored Trip

Sammy Wilson has issued an apology for not disclosing a sponsored international journey when submitting a parliamentary question. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of Parliament is currently under investigation by Westminster’s standards commissioner. This inquiry concerns his failure to declare an interest when submitting a question regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, following a visit he made to that region. According to the MPs’ code of conduct, it is stipulated that when parliamentary questions are posed, “members must indicate any relevant interest on the question form”. During a point of order raised in the Commons chamber, the representative for East Antrim stated: “I wish to apologise to the House for my failure to declare an interest when tabling a parliamentary question to the secretary of state for business and trade on 26 January 2024.” The standards commissioner’s website indicates that the complaint against Wilson was initiated on 31 October. The MPs’ register of interests records that Wilson undertook a visit to the area between 3 and 6 January of the current year. The expenses for this journey were covered by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, an entity named Cyprus Premier, and the Arkan Group. The stated objective of the trip is documented as a “parliamentary fact finding delegation to learn about country’s political system, history, culture and economy”. In his point of order, Wilson stated: “When I tabled the question I inadvertently neglected to declare my interest of a fact-finding trip to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, paid for by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, which was in breach of the rules.“I apologise to the House for this error and I’m grateful for the parliamentary commissioner for standards for his time and care in rectifying this matter.” Wilson holds the position of the DUP’s chief whip within Westminster. Previously, Members of Parliament have faced sanctions for violating parliamentary lobbying regulations following participation in sponsored trips. As an example, in 2018, Ian Paisley, who was then the MP for North Antrim, received a 30-day suspension from the Commons. This was due to his lobbying efforts on behalf of Sri Lanka after undertaking an undisclosed trip to the nation, valued at up to £100,000.