Qatar provided British legislators with more than £250,000 in the year before the World Cup, including funds for travel and hotel in the Gulf state. In addition to exposing a cultural divide, the has raised significant difficulties with international implications.
The Qatar tournament has so far been a success on the field, but Doha has drawn criticism for its intrusive behavior off the field, notably the unexpected ban on beer and Fifa’s decision to outlaw the rainbow armband.
On the grounds that the game is being staged in a country where spectators’ and players’ fundamental rights are being abused, human rights organizations, LGBT+ advocacy groups, and even some of the Lionesses have asked fans to stay away from the event. However, Westminster has seen less vehement opposition.
Three Houses of Parliament discussions concerning the tournament’s future have taken place in the last year. One MP who voiced worries about the country’s exploitation of migrants and LGBT+ fans was opposed by only one MP in the most recent one, a Commons discussion that lasted just 47 minutes last month.
More than any other nation during that time period, the Qatari government spent more than £250,000 on flights, opulent hotel stays, and hospitality events for British MPs in the last 13 months, it was revealed earlier this year. I’m now able to share more information on how the Doha regime lobbied Westminster.
One very senior Tory said that before the World Cup, they were requested to engage with Qatari government representatives regarding British sport policy. Ti is now able to provide more information about how the Doha regime’s lobbying activities spread throughout Westminster.
One very senior Tory said that before the World Cup, they were requested to engage with Qatari government representatives regarding British sport policy. A former Cabinet minister also revealed to me that the Qatari government has been giving senior Tories a free all-inclusive trip to the World Cup, which includes lodging and World Cup tickets.
I thought about visiting, but I sure wouldn’t have stayed at their hotel; instead, I would have stayed with the ambassador or something like that. The Qatari royal family invited the Tory party chair, Nadhim Zahawi, to attend “several games” during the competition, according to a report from the BBC earlier this week.
According to the article, the former chancellor would go into a non-ministerial position and pay for everything out of pocket. When asked for comment, Mr. Zahawi did not respond. Over the past 13 months, the Qatari government has paid for the travel of 18 British MPs. Several of these lawmakers have since defended Qatar’s record on human rights and its treatment of minority communities.
Former Tory minister Tobias Ellwood traveled to the Gulf nation last year on a group delegation funded by the Qatari government for a cost of £6,720.