Prime minister Keir Starmer has agreed to repay £6,000 of ‘freebie’ gifts, in a bid to end the latest donor scandal.

But this goes much further than clothes, glasses and concert tickets – and MPs from all parties have been at it.

MPs routinely enjoy ‘hospitality’ at the expense of lobbyists, from sports tickets paid for by gambling companies all the way up to all-expenses-paid foreign trips funded by repressive regimes.

Under the current rules, this is legal as long as the ‘gifts’ are declared. But a declaration does not make the possibility of influence go away.

Lobbyists would not be spending a fortune on hospitality for MPs if they did not expect to see any benefit in return.

In many countries, such gifts are banned. The rules for UK civil servants also ban gifts and hospitality.

It’s time to force politicians to clean up their act and ban the ‘freebies’.

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Highlighted comments

With their salaries they can afford to pay their own way. Also, it is a conflict of interest. It is outrageous.

Robin, West London

Accepting gifts in my occupation is a sackable offence. Those in a position of power should not be any different to the general public.

Alison, Falkirk

Health service professionals are only permitted to accept nominal gifts of up to around £25. Local government employees are the same. It’s to stop any question of corruption. Surely that matters even more with our legislators?

Naomi, Altrincham

It is not right that rich people can have their say in government by buying the MPs when we are not listened to.

Patricia, Devon

In any other walk of life these would be called bribes.

Alison, Essex

Nobody gives an MP a freebie without expecting a return.

Gaynor, Aberdeenshire

They’re there to serve the people, not help themselves!

Charlie, Dunbartonshire