Shipley MP Philip Davies yesterday apologised after failing to declare that he had accepted a free day at Cheltenham races during a parliamentary investigation into problem gambling.
Mr Davies said he was sorry for the error, telling MPs that he was not influenced in any way after accepting the freebie from Ladbrokes in March, 2011.
He had “properly and accurately” detailed the trip in the register of interests. But under parliamentary rules, MPs must tell colleagues if they have ever accepted any related interests before speaking in a debate or tabling questions.
Mr Davies said that he had subsequently submitted three parliamentary questions on problem gambling, held an adjournment debate on problem gambling, and been a member of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport select committee when it held an investigation into the Gambling Act 2005. The chief executive of Ladbrokes gave evidence to the committee during the investigation.
His apology follows a complaint to the parliamentary commissioner for standards which was subsequently dismissed.
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