The Tories have been embroiled in their own freebies scandal, as James Cleverly’s wife was spotted at a gifted event, despite the official declaration stating that she wasn’t there.
The former Home Secretary and Conservative leadership hopeful accepted tickets for the Wimbledon men’s singles final last year.
In pictures uncovered by The Mirror, Cleverly is seen sitting alongside his wife, Susannah, watching on as Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller.
However, in the official hospitality record released by the Foreign Office, the former Foreign Secretary stated “no” in the section asking whether he was joined by a friend or family member.
James Cleverly attended the Men’s singles final at Wimbledon on July 16 last yearPAA Tory loophole meant he didn’t have to declare the cost of the day out, if it’s linked to his duties.
It’s unclear however how attending SW19 related to his job as Foreign Secretary.
His freebie also included lunch in the President’s Suite as a guest of the Lawn Tennis Association.
A spokesperson for the Tory leadership hopeful told the Mirror that the failure to declare his wife being present was a “mistake”.
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Carlos Alcaraz won his first Wimbledon title in a five-set thriller against Novak Djokovic last year
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They said: “James has always been fully transparent with any gifts and hospitality received.
“In this case there was a mistake in the declaration and we have contacted the FCDO to ask them to rectify it.”
The Wimbledon gift is just one among many freebies Cleverly accepted during his time in the Cabinet.
These included a Six Nations rugby match, a film premiere for an undisclosed movie and a dinner celebrating a new art exhibition – all of which he correctly declared.
James Cleverly also received a free lunch in the President’s Suite as a guest of the Lawn Tennis Association
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In 2015, the-then Tory government brought in a rule that when Cabinet members receive hospitality gifts in their ministerial capacity, details are published by departments, rather than for individual MPs.
In addition, it doesn’t have to include the value of the freebie.
After Labour got embroiled in their own freebie row in recent weeks, Keir Starmer’s government has pledged to abolish this loophole.