Updated 1120 GMT
The DUP MP, Ian Paisley Jr accepted holidays worth £100,000 from the Sri Lankan government while helping securing trade deals for the state, however, never disclosed the trips in the Commons register of interests, the Telegraph reported.
According to the paper, Mr Paisley accepted two all-inclusive holidays for him and his four children, flying business class with VIP lounge access, six hotel across two trips and being chauffeur driven in a Mercedes. The trip was funded by the Sri lankan ministry of external affairs. A helicopter was also provided for Mr Paisley and his family to travel around the island, with Sri Lankan ministry of defence approval.
'During discussions with officials, he offered to help the state broker an oil deal, saying he had “significant arrangements with national oil suppliers” in Oman and Nigeria,' the paper claimed. Shortly after his trip to Sri Lanka, he called for the Queen to visit the island.
Mr Paisley is one of ten DUP MPs providing Theresa May's Conservative party a majority in parliament.
 |
|
The Sri Lankan High Commission in London praised Mr Paisley, noting that he was in a particularly good position to help Colombo "enhance trade relations between Sri Lankan and UK".
Describing the report as "disturbing" the Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh was quoted by the Telegraph as saying it appeared Mr Paisley was attempting to carry out a “back-door trade agreement.”
“Sri Lanka has a seriously bad human rights record. Why would anybody accept holidays for their family if they wanted to speak in defence of the regime?," she asked. "Surely they understand, and surely the regime understands, that it undermines the honesty and validty of the view they are expressing."
In a tweet rejecting any criticism, Mr Paisley said: "The Daily Telegraph article is defamatory. It is devoid of fact or logic. Referred to my lawyer."
"I will refer myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards," he added.
|
|
| Tweet by Mr Paisley featuring a photograph of himself with MP Liam Fox who resigned after reports emerged of his dealings with the Sri Lankan government. |
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
