Jim Dobbin breached parliamentary rules

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Jim Dobbin MP

A BBC investigation has revealed that Jim Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has breached rules in relation to registering and declaring overseas trips paid for by foreign governments.

The trips taken by Mr Dobbin, his relevant parliamentary activities and his reply to the BBC are below.

The Labour MP visited Gibraltar in September 2005, September 2007 and September 2008, with the costs being met by the government of Gibraltar.

Mr Dobbin was accompanied by his wife on two of these trips and her costs were also met by the government of Gibraltar.

Following these trips, Mr Dobbin signed seven early day motions relating to Gibraltar without declaring an interest:

1. MAJOR COLIN RISSO AND MAJOR JOHN PEREZ / 18.10.2005 / EDM 789 
2. ALBERT POGGIO, OBE / 19.01.2006 / EDM 1433 
3. GIBRALTAR NATIONAL DAY / 24.07.2006 / EDM 2640 
4. BORDER BETWEEN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR / 08.05.2008 / EDM 1522 
5. BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES AND REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY / 28.01.2009 / EDM 624 
6. GIBRALTAR AND THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS / 14.05.2009 / EDM 1489 
7. TROOPING THE COLOUR / 10.06.2009 / EDM 1644

Mr Dobbin responded to the BBC saying all his visits to British overseas territories had been declared in the Register of Members' Interests.

He added: "I have written to the Commissioner for Standards seeking guidance and clarification on this matter with reference to representation of overseas territories in the UK Parliament and how this relates to the duties of a Member of Parliament.

"I will, of course, fully accept and abide by the guidance provided by the commissioner."

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Heywood & Middleton, Councillor Wera Hobhouse says: “Residents in Heywood and Middleton I think will feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment. This is another blow to public trust in politicians.”

Mr Dobbin's office staff in Heywood say they were, and are, in the dark and hence are not in a position to comment.

Mr Dobbin was unavailable for comment.