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Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti calls for inquiry over claims he delayed declaring Gills hospitality tickets

11:15, 10 March 2016

updated: 11:18, 10 March 2016

Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti has called for an urgent inquiry after claims by The Sun that he delayed declaring getting hospitality tickets to watch Gillingham FC.

The paper alleged he failed to report that he accepted the free seat in the directors' box as a guest of chairman Paul Scally.

All Members of Parliament must declare such perks to Commons authorities within 28 days as part of strict anti-corruption rules.

Gillingham FC Chairman Paul Scally with Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti
Gillingham FC Chairman Paul Scally with Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti

Keen sportsman Mr Chishti, said: "I am a proud and passionate supporter of my local team and try to attend home matches when I can to cheer on the team.

"I had declared all information to the House of Commons Register of Members’ Interests in relation to my attendance at matches and hospitality received by the club in the last year.

"The Sun newspaper has raised a point with regards to the timing in making these declarations on the Register of Interests.

"I have asked the Parliamentary Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests to look into this and clarify this as an urgent matter."

A spokesman for the Standards Commissioner said: "We will not comment on individual cases, nor can we interpret how the rules would apply to a specific or a hypothetical case."

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