DUP MP apologises for failing to declare paid-for trip

Sammy Wilson has apologised for failing to declare a paid-for overseas trip when tabling a parliamentary question.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP is being investigated by Westminster's standards commissioner for failing to declare an interest when tabling a question on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, after making a visit to the area.

The MPs code of conduct states that when asking parliamentary questions “members must indicate any relevant interest on the question form”.

Making a point of order in the Commons chamber, the MP for East Antrim said: “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 website of the standards commissioner says the complaint was opened against Wilson on 31 October.

On the MPs' register of interests it says Wilson visited the area from 3 to 6 January this year.

The trip was paid for by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, a body called Cyprus Premier and the Arkan Group.

The purpose of the trip is listed as a "parliamentary fact finding delegation to learn about country's political system, history, culture and economy".

During his point of order, Wilson said: “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 is the DUP's chief whip at Westminster.

MPs have been sanctioned in the past for breaking parliamentary lobbying rules after going on paid trips.

In 2018, then-North Antrim MP Ian Paisley was suspended from the Commons for 30 days for lobbying on behalf of Sri Lanka after taking an undeclared trip to the country worth up to £100,000.