What’s the score?
Gove is investigated over football tickets from PPE-deal donor
THE Commons sleaze watchdog is probing Michael Gove after he admitted failing to declare football tickets from a Conservative Party donor whose company landed PPE contracts worth £164million.
The Cabinet minister and his son enjoyed corporate box hospitality at Queens Park Rangers in August 2021.
But he did not register the freebie with parliamentary authorities.
Their host, David Meller’s fashion products company was awarded six PPE contracts after Mr Gove referred him to the Government’s so-called VIP lane.
The Housing Secretary admitted failing to register the tickets this month. His spokesman said at the time:
“Mr Gove... has written to the relevant parliamentary authorities to inform them of a potential omission from the register of members’ financial interests.
“Mr Gove routinely declares his attendance at such events in his role as an MP and Government minister, as evidenced by his register of interests and ministerial transparency returns. He apologises for any oversight.”
Mr Gove was responsible for PPE procurement during the pandemic and in May 2020 he referred Meller Designs, owned by Mr Meller at the time, to the Government’s chief commercial officer as a possible supplier.
MPs are required to register donations they receive as well as freebies such as corporate hospitality worth over £300 on the Register of Members’ Financial Interest.
Mr Meller has been a substantial donor to the Conservative Party and supported Mr Gove’s failed Tory leadership bid in 2016 by donating £3,250.
The Guardian reported that Mr Gove and his son watched QPR’s 1-1 draw against Millwall with Mr Meller and his son, Jonny. The newspaper said Jonny had contacted Amit Bhatia, one of QPR’s owners, who allowed them to use his box.
A spokesman for Mr Gove declined to comment yesterday.