Two Tory MPs told locals they were on their side in rows over giant phone masts, while taking cash from the firms that erected them.
Blackpool MP Scott Benton is one of 25 MPs the Sunday People revealed had accepted a combined £147,000 in cash from IX Wireless - a Lancashire-based broadband firm.
In July he posted a picture of himself next to one of the firm's giant masts in his constituency, saying the poles "look awful" and it was "ridiculous" that locals couldn't object to them being erected.
But the previous summer his constituency association accepted £2,500 from the firm.
And last month, fellow Tory Karl McCartney said he "shared the concerns" of locals in a row with Spring Fibre, a firm installing masts in his Lincoln constituency.
Spring Fibre is a subsidiary of Cohiba Communications, which also owns IX Wireless.
IX Wireless donated £2,500 to Mr McCartney’s local association in August 2021, and a further £5,000 in October last year.
While Mr Benton’s donation appears on the Electoral Commission’s database, he has not declared it on his Commons Register of Interests.
MPs are required to declare donations either directly to themselves or to their constituency associations on the register, to avoid accusations of “cash for questions” and conflicts of interest.
But in October, Mr Benton asked a Parliamentary question about funding for 5G and 6G broadband rollout in Blackpool without having declared the cash.
Mr Benton insisted his question was not related to the work of IX Wireless, who provide broadband internet connections through fibre and wireless masts.
And he said he didn’t have to declare the donation because his constituency association is a “separate entity.”
The Chair of Blackpool South Conservative Association, Bradley Mitchell, is also Mr Benton’s office manager.
Mr Benton said: “My local constituency association may have received money from the company but as you will know, an MP and the local association are entirely different entities.
“I have not personally received any money from this company, nor have I ever met or spoken with any representatives from the company.
“I did express solidarity with my local constituents who had poles installed, because on some streets the company was installing them without adequate discussions with local residents about the timetable for the works and the siting of the poles.
“In some cases where local residents have contacted my office with specific concerns, my team were able to persuade the company to alter siting decisions for specific poles to suit the needs of constituents.
“The poles do not require planning permission under current legislation, however.”
He added: “I did ask a Parliamentary question about funding being made available to support the rollout of 5G in Blackpool which I understand is mainly for use in mobile phones; whereas the installation of these masts is about supplying cheap fibre broadband to households and premises – I believe these are different systems and IX Wireless are not specifically a 5G company?
“The purpose of my question was in relation to government investment in Blackpool, a cause I passionately believe in.”
Mr McCartney said: “Where organisations are carrying out significant works within residential areas – it is vital these organisations consult with residents in the first instance.
“Without notice, Spring Fibre have erected 1950’s style telegraph poles in a residential area where this infrastructure is not currently present. I oppose this.
“Investment in Lincoln’s broadband infrastructure is welcome, but organisations must install this infrastructure in a sympathetic way. Other organisations are also rolling out broadband in Lincoln and the infrastructure is being installed under the highway – a much more suitable place for unsightly infrastructure.
“Any donations to my local association do not change my ability to represent residents views and I remain opposed to these being installed.”
