A cabinet minister who argued against cutting the maximum stake for addictive betting machines to £2 had received a free ticket to the Cheltenham Festival from a gambling company. Esther McVey, the work and pensions secretary, was given a hospitality ticket to watch the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on March 16 by William Hill. Philip Davies, the Conservative MP for Shipley, recorded in the MPs’ register that he had received two tickets that day, worth £270 each, paid for by William Hill. The Times has established that the second ticket was taken by Ms McVey, his partner. A spokeswoman for Ms McVey declined to say whether she had told ministers and officials about the hospitality when arguing against cutting the maximum stake to £2.

Source: The Times May 18, 2018 08:03 UTC