Sex workers ‘ordered for MPs on overseas trip to dictatorship’
Politicians met by prostitutes at their hotel, according to report
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sex workers were ordered for MPs during an overseas visit to a dictatorship, according to a report.
The group of politicians travelling in an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) were met by prostitutes at their hotel during an official trip aboard, The Times reported.
There is no suggestion that the MPs used the services of sex workers, or knew they would be ordered in advance, but there is concern about the risk of blackmail because of “bad behaviour” during trips overseas.
A senior government source told the newspaper that the behaviour of MPs undertaking APPG trips abroad “is quite astonishing”.
They added: “If a hostile state is lucky they may get MPs at risk of foreign blackmail photos and they will make sure they know exactly what has happened. And then they might get something from that.”
It follows reports that British politicians were accused of using official parliamentary trips abroad to drink heavily and engage in “sex tourism”.
Parliamentarians on trips reportedly “asked for directions to the nearest brothel”, hired sex workers, and failed to turn up at meetings after drinking heavily on nights out.
The accusations came as part of Politico’s investigation into the activities of controversial APPGs – some of which organise foreign trips.
Downing Street said on Wednesday that the reported behaviour of MPs on foreign APPG trips was “clearly very concerning”.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “The prime minister believes MPs should be working hard for the public, and the broad majority and focused on our shared challenges.”
But No 10 said that any reform of APPGs was “a matter for the House rather than for government”.
APPGs are groups devoted to examining a specific issue, but over 130 are dedicated to interest in a particular foreign country.
The country-specific APPGs often arrange visits to host nations for MPs, sometimes with funding from those countries or associated organisations.
Labour MP Chris Bryant chair of the standards committee has asked for the power to shut down APPGs where there was a clear conflict of interest, amid concerns they are used for lobbying by commercial interests.
Transparency International has said it was “extremely concerning” that MPs were accepting hospitality from foreign powers “with questionable human rights records” and warned that it could “leave the door open to undue influence.”
Lavish trips to Qatar ahead of the World Cup have come under the spotlight. The Qatari government reportedly spent more than £260,000 in gifts, hospitality and travel on MPs since last October.
Mr Bryant said he regretted joining a trip to Qatar, saying he went to telling the Gulf state’s leaders his views on workers’ rights, LGBT+ rights and climate change.
“I wish I hadn’t gone,” he said. “My fear is they’re using the World Cup to wash their reputation and I don’t think we should participate in that.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments