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Cruises, TV shows and a day at the races – the perks of being a Kent MP

Michael Howard received thousands for his television appearence
Michael Howard received thousands for his television appearence
Steve Ladyman enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to Aintree
Steve Ladyman enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to Aintree
Bob Marshall-Andrews donated his £5,000 fee for Have I Got News For You to charity
Bob Marshall-Andrews donated his £5,000 fee for Have I Got News For You to charity

Former Conservative leader and Kent MP Michael Howard was paid between £5,000 and £10,000 for giving a revealing glimpse into his private life on a remake of the popular TV show “Mr and Mrs”.

Mr Howard and wife Sandra took part in the one-off revival of the hit show in May this year, with their appearance helping to raise £5,000 for two charities.

The latest up-dated Register of MPs Interests, published on July 4 reveals the MP received a fee of between £5,000 and £10,000 for participating in the show, during which he claimed to be a better kisser than his wife Sandra and could hold his drink better.

He also registers an interview with the Daily Mail connected with the show, for which he received a fee of up to £5,000.

Mr Howard’s latest entry also shows that he was a guest of the holiday company Saga on a cruise in February to Tahiti and New Zealand, during which he gave a number of lectures.

Meanwhile, former Labour transport minister and Thanet South MP Dr Steve Ladyman records two trips abroad this year. One was to India in February to meet industrialists, academics and politicians on a fact-finding visit to examine various development initiatives.

A second was to Israel and Palestine in April for five days, with expenses met by the Labour Friends of Israel.

He also records an all-expenses paid trip to watch the Grand National at Aintree in April, which he attended with his wife. The costs of hospitality and accommodation for the weekend were met by Peel Ports, the company that operates the Medway Ports as well as the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company and the Manchester Ship Canal.

Fellow Labour MP Derek Wyatt also records two trips abroad in April this year. The first was to Seoul in Korea in his capacity as the co-chairman of the All-Party group on Communications, with expenses paid for by the company Samsung.

A second was to Quatar, also in April, for the Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade.

His travel and accommodation costs were paid by the Qatar government.

Medway MP Bob Marshall-Andrews received a fee of up to £5,000 for his appearance as a guest on the BBC 2 comedy quiz “Have I Got News For You” in April but donated the money to charity.

Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe also donated fees for speaking at two events in Kent, worth up to £10,000, to charity and records a £5,000 payment for appearing on the ITV show “Tonight With Trevor MacDonald.”

Gillingham MP Paul Clark details how he attended 12 of Gillingham FC’s home games throughout last season, courtesy of club chairman Paul Scally.

For three matches, he went with members of his family.

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