Councillors reject plans to curb gifts

A city's councillors have rejected plans to curb the amount of gifts they can accept while in office.

Liberal Democrats at Sunderland City Council had called for the changes to "uphold ethical standards and maintain public trust".

They criticised Labour council leader Michael Mordey for accepting two Sunderland AFC season tickets and two tickets for Bruce Springsteen's Stadium of Light concert in May.

Mordey accused the Liberal Democrats of "hypocrisy" and said they were "trying to create a problem when one doesn't exist".

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen O'Brien, who proposed the motion at the latest meeting of the council, said it was "unacceptable" for politicians to accept gifts, no matter their party.

"If you want to go to a football game, pay for it. If you want to go to a concert, pay for it," he said.

The proposed changes would have left councillors unable to accept individual gifts worth more than £50, or cumulative gifts from the same source exceeding £100 per civic year.

Details of Mordey's gifts came to light when they were published last month in the councillors' register of interests.

But he argued no changes were needed to the rules as there was already a "robust system in place" to deal with councillors' gifts and how they were declared.

Referencing the Sunderland season tickets, Mordey claimed "every leader of the council for about 30 years has been given tickets" and questioned why the motion was being lodged now.

"The season ticket is a gift by the football club, they would have a leg to stand on if it was an issue of the council paying for the hospitality, but these are gifts," he said.

"Oftentimes when myself and cabinet members are there, we're working, we're representatives of the council."

Mordey also accused the Liberal Democrats of hypocrisy for accepting "plates of food and numerous drinks" at a recent Local Government Association conference.

The motion was defeated with 17 votes in favour and 45 against.

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