MP Scott Benton secretly filmed 'offering lobbying services' in undercover sting operation

A Tory MP has been secretly filmed offering to lobby ministers on behalf of gambling industry investors in exchange for financial reward in an undercover sting operation.

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, was prepared to leak market sensitive information to an investment fund and ask parliamentary questions on its behalf, in breach of parliamentary lobbying rules, according to an undercover investigation by journalists at The Times.

The MP later had the party whip suspended, a spokesperson for Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart said, pending an investigation into the undercover footage.

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Mr Benton was caught on camera telling undercover reporters posing as investors how he was willing to take actions which would break Parliament’s lobbying rules. Under such rules, MPs are forbidden from advocating a particular matter in the House or raising it with ministers in return for payment.

In a meeting in early March, Mr Benton described how he could support the fund, which he believed was set up by an Indian businessman looking to make investments in the UK betting and gaming sector, by attempting to water down proposed gambling reforms.

It comes as the Government is carrying out a major review of gambling laws, mulling stricter regulations that could affect operators’ profits.

Mr Benton offered a 'guarantee' to provide a copy of an upcoming gambling White Paper to the business at least two days before publication, potentially allowing it to benefit from market sensitive information. He also said he could table parliamentary written questions and said he had previously done it on behalf of a company.

Mr Benton said he could offer 'the direct