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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Shanti Das

Qatar lavished British MPs with gifts ahead of World Cup

Qatar World Cup Alun Cairns David Mundell Nigel Evans APPG United Kingdom Chris Bryant AFPGetty Images Observer
A banner of England’s Harry Kane on a building in Doha, Qatar
A banner of England captain Harry Kane on a building in Doha, Qatar, in the run-up to next month’s World Cup. Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Qatar has spent more money on gifts and trips for British MPs in the past year than any other country, according to Observer analysis that reveals the Gulf state’s lobbying efforts ahead of next month’s football World Cup.

The Qatari government made gifts to members of parliament worth £251,208 in the 12 months to October 2022, including luxury hotel stays, business-class flights and tickets to horse-racing events.

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