Labour MPs alarmed by rise in sponsored events arranged by party

Invitations for receptions sent from parliamentary office include ads for housebuilders and public affairs firms

Labour MPs have privately raised alarm at the number of sponsored corporate receptions for backbenchers that have been arranged by the party, amid concerns about perceived conflicts of interest.

MPs have received invitations for networking receptions that include explicit advertisements for property developers or public affairs firms. The invitations are sent to MPs directly from the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) office and forwarded by party whips.