Questions surround why several MPs received thousands of pounds in donations from an elusive broadband firm.

North East Conservative MPs elected in 2019 have received donations from broadband company IX Wireless, according to a new database detailing MPs outside earnings and donations.

The company says it is responsible for providing digital infrastructure to towns and cities across the North West, including installing 4G towers, but details around the donations are unclear.

Several MPs elected in 2019 have received money from the company including: Darlington’s Peter Gibson (£8,000), North West Durham’s Richard Holden (£7,500) and Sedgefield’s Paul Howell (£7,500).

The Northern Echo: Darlington's Peter Gibson was elected in 2019 and is one of many recently-elected MPs to receive an IX Wireless donationDarlington's Peter Gibson was elected in 2019 and is one of many recently-elected MPs to receive an IX Wireless donation (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer, Stockton South MP Matt Vickers and Blyth Valley’s Ian Levy have also benefited from donations that are described as 'support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation'.

The Northern Echo contacted the above MPs but none responded to explain why the donation was made or how it was used. IX Wireless did not respond. 

Former Conservative MP for Stockton South and current Tory peer James Wharton is a director of Cohiba Communications Limited, which holds a controlling stake of shares in IX Wireless.

The company’s two registered directors are linked to an address in Blackburn, Lancashire, but an investigation by Sky News found the building was empty. It is currently advertised for let by a local property firm.  

Sky News and the Tortoise news website launched the new database of MPs outside earnings and donations called the Westminster Accounts, compiling records from the MPs Register of Interests, the Electoral Commission and other official registers to provide a comprehensive picture of the flow of money into British politics.

In response to the information, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it is “important” that transparency rules are adhered to as the flow of money into Westminster comes under renewed scrutiny.

But the Government has been urged to vet all MP donations. Susan Hawley, executive director at Spotlight on Corruption, said: “This should be a real wake-up call to the UK political establishment to get serious about ensuring parties conduct proper checks on donations and are fully transparent about where the money is coming from.

“More fundamentally, we have to have a serious public debate about the undue influence that donating to political parties allows, and how that distorts democratic decision-making.”

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Total donations made by IX Wireless - £138,800

£8,000 donations to Peter Gibson

£7,500 donations to Richard Holden

£7,500 donations to Paul Howell

£7,500 donations to Matt Vickers

£2,500 donations to Jill Mortimer

£5,000 donations to Ian Levy