Deputy leader of Westminster City Council lists more than 500 freebies in three years

The deputy leader of Westminster City Council has received gifts and hospitality more than 500 times since the start of 2015.

Robert Davis’ listing in the council’s register of members’ interests details meals at the Ritz and Ivy, a trip to the south of France and tickets to top West End shows.

On one day in August 2015, he registered separate lunches with Madeleine Lloyd-Weber, the third wife of Andrew Lloyd-Weber, and the Earl of Chichester.

Much of the list came from figures in the property industry – with more than a dozen instances of hospitality from the Westminster Property Association, which represents owners and developers.

:: The hospitality list in full

The disclosure – first reported in The Guardian – sparked claims from the local Labour group that it was evidence of a “broken culture”.

Westminster’s Labour leader Adam Hug said the hospitality would leave the public with a “clear perception that senior Conservative councillors have a very close relationships with developers”.

He added: “For decades they have let developers get away with building far fewer ‘affordable’ homes than required under Westminster’s planning policy, they have pushed through controversial schemes and promoted an approach to architecture based on the whims of senior councillors.”

But the council hit back, saying suggestions Mr Davis had been “bought” were “demonstrably untrue”.

Councillors must, within 28 days, tell the authority’s monitoring officer about any gift, benefit or hospitality worth more than £25.

There is no suggestion Mr Davis – or anyone else named in the list – broke any rules.

Mr Davis defended the hospitality, saying in a statement: “As planning chairman it was an important part of my job to meet groups ranging from developers to residents, property agents, heritage associations, arts groups and trade organisations.

“These meetings were all properly declared and open to anyone to examine.

“Their sole purpose was to ensure and encourage the right kind of development in Westminster and ensure that anything put before the council was going to benefit the city as a whole.”

Mr Davis has since decided to refer himself to the council’s monitoring officer, saying in a statement: “I am absolutely clear I have not broken any rules, but given recent attention I believe this is the right step to take so that can be shown to be the case, and to reassure residents of this.”

A council spokesperson said: “Westminster is a target for investment for UK and national developers, so it is hardly surprising that the chair of planning for Westminster City Council – the largest planning authority in the UK – undertakes a large number of meetings.

“Where hospitality is offered, these meetings are all declared in the register of interests and have absolutely no sway on planning decisions.”

The spokesperson also said the council was on track to build 1,850 affordable homes in the next five years.

“The entire thrust of the council’s efforts is towards ensuring everyone gets the opportunity to live in the borough,” the spokesperson added.

(c) Sky News 2018: Deputy leader of Westminster City Council lists more than 500 freebies in three years