Labour figures disclosed to have received nearly £300,000 in UAE and Manchester City perks

A recent probe uncovered that Labour politicians have taken nearly £300,000 in benefits from the United Arab Emirates and its Premier League club Manchester City. Deputy leader Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, was given an £840 VIP ticket and attended five matches over 11 months, while fellow MPs Andrew Western, Jeff Smith and Sir Keir Starmer each received complimentary tickets to major fixtures, including the Community Shield and the FA Cup Final.

Overall, Labour MPs logged about £275,000 in UAE-funded trips and £14,000 in club hospitality. The investigation noted that the UAE, whose Vice President Sheikh Mansour bought Manchester City in 2008, has spent £467,000 on MPs across parties since 2012. Critics, including William Yarwood of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, warned that such gifts raise concerns about conflicts of interest and foreign influence. Other parties reported smaller sums, with the SNP, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK each recording modest entries.