In the first publication of the Register of MP’s Financial Interests since the new Parliamentary session began, new Bolton West MP Phil Brickell reveals he received a £15,000 donation for his election campaign from Gary Lubner – the former boss of AutoGlass – on July 29, 2024.
According to a BBC analysis of donations between the end of May and the July 4 General Election, Mr Lubner was the third-largest donor to political parties in the UK, donating £900,000 – beaten only by union Unison and Lord David Sainsbury.
Mr Brickell also reveals a £2,000 donation from the Labour Party Campaign for International Development on his register of interests, as well as a £3,333.34 ‘final monthly payment’ from NatWest and a £1,630.99 payment from Manchester City Council for his former role as a councillor in the city.
The Bolton West MP said: “The donation from Mr Lubner came via The Labour Party nationally and was made towards my General Election campaign.
“It is proper practice for election campaign donations via the national party to be declared individually to ensure full transparency.”
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Bolton’s other newly elected MP, Kirith Entwistle, also revealed her financial interests.
The Bolton North East MP reveals that she received £12,000 in donations from trade unions, with £3,000 from GMB and £9,000, split between two donations of £4,000 and £5,000, from USDAW.
Additionally, Ms Entwistle reveals that Budweiser provided sponsored drinks at an International Women’s Day fundraiser event in March of this year, split between four candidates, at a value of £9,000 – with political consultancy firm Arden Strategies providing £1,200 in event sponsorship for the same event, split between four candidates.
The newly-elected MP also reveals she received £2,453.56 per month for her job as a Public Affairs Manager at the WaveLength charity.
Ms Entwistle said: “Transparency and openness will always be at the heart of everything I do, and I made it clear when I was selected by the Labour Party that being an MP would be my only job.
“That is why I ended my previous employment as soon as the general election was called, to focus on my campaign and my constituents.
“The people of Bolton North East will always be my priority, and I am especially grateful for the support of our trade unions and will always fight hard for working people.
“That starts with championing our new deal for workers.”
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Yasmin Qureshi’s financial register is largely the same as it was at the end of the last Parliamentary session, with two donations from companies including Tristar Tech Solutions Ltd, located in Welwyn Garden City, valued at £3,500 each. It is understood the owner of the company is a personal friend of the Bolton MP.
Ms Qureshi also received £3,000 and £5,000 donations from Intro Developments Ltd and Ivy Business Centre Ltd, respectively – all in March of this year.
The Bolton South and Walkden MP’s register also shows she received a total of five tickets to the Ashes from the England and Wales Cricket Board in July 2023, as well as a visit to Qatar in November 2023, donated by the country’s foreign ministry, valued at £5,800.
Yasmin Qureshi said: “The register of interest is an important part of ensuring our democracy is fair and transparent.
“I take my responsibilities to the register very seriously and all declarations made are in accordance with Parliamentary rules.”
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
