The Guardian newspaper says that more than 50 British MPs own secret shares in companies

More than 50 British MPs own stakes in publicly traded companies, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest that have been covered up, a Guardian investigation published on Sunday reveals.

Among the MPs mentioned are former British Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured), Chairman of the House of Commons Environment Committee Robert Goodwill, or former Education Minister Gavin Williamson, who currently own shares in banks, construction companies and defense companies. energy suppliers and supermarkets.

Parliamentary regulation in force since 2015 requires members to declare the shares they own in companies that represent more than 15% of the assets or when their value exceeds 70,000 pounds (about 82,100 euros).

In addition, parliamentary regulations require that actions that may involve a conflict of interest be made public, although this is at the discretion of each MP.

This conflict mainly affects housing laws, climate change or the cost of living, said Steve Goodrich, director of research at Transparency International UK, who warns.

Other names that appeared on the list were Conservative MP Desmond Swan, Labor Finance spokeswoman Seema Malhotra or SNP spokesman Brendan O’Hara, whose shares are below the £70,000 threshold.

The investigation reveals that the current British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, owned stakes in the national power grid until two days before he was chosen as the Conservative Party candidate. Sinak explained that it is a fund that has been controlling its investments since July 2019.

Theresa May owned shares in the oil company BP when she was Home Secretary and her husband owned shares in BP, Barclays, BT and Centrica.

said May’s spokesman, who noted that the laws passed during her tenure were not in favor of BT.

The Guardian report is the result of six months of investigation and numerous procedures with records to obtain data.

“It’s deeply troubling that it’s so difficult to find out who owns stock in publicly traded companies in this country, practically keeping them secret,” said Susan Holley, executive director of Spotlight on Corruption.