Prime Minister Demands 'Manual Trawl' of Records for Former Manchester City Hospitality Links
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has instructed government departments to conduct a 'manual trawl' of records to uncover details regarding hospitality events attended by former ministers and Manchester City officials. The directive comes after the Premier League found the club guilty of breaching financial rules, intensifying scrutiny on past government engagement with the organisation.
The request, initiated by Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jonathan Ashworth, specifically targets events involving Manchester City representatives between May 2011 and December 2022. This period encompasses significant stretches of the club's growth under Emirati ownership and extends through various Conservative and Coalition governments. Mr Ashworth had initially sought this information through a Freedom of Information request, which was subsequently declined.
A spokesperson for Number 10 confirmed that civil servants are now undertaking a thorough examination of records. This laborious process is necessary as the original request was deemed too broad for automated searches. The findings of this manual review are expected to be made public, potentially shedding light on the extent and nature of interactions between senior political figures and a club now subject to significant regulatory penalties.
