Dover MP Charlie Elphicke accepted a gift of £22,577 from the RHA this year, according to the government’s annual Register of Interests released last month.
Elphicke’s office said the gift pays for the secondment of a parliamentary researcher for a year. It was the highest donation in the register’s section on gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources.
Elphicke said: “The researcher is looking at how we can be ready for Brexit – particularly at the Dover frontline. This is vital work for both my constituency and the haulage industry. No one wants to see queues of trucks at Dover.”
The MP’s office added Elphicke had not received the gift in cash and it covered costs incurred by the RHA to employ the worker.
Elphicke said: “In this work the interests of the haulage industry and my constituency are strongly aligned. That’s why we decided to join forces.”
Elphicke was also gifted £5,000 by London and South East demolition firm Goody Demolition; £5,000 from Kent construction firm Datum Groundworks; £4,000 from Lord David Freud – former minister of state and former vice chairman at investment bank UBS; and £2,000 from shipping agent George Hammond.
In July, Elphicke’s office released a Ready for day one report, which suggested how Channel ports should be prepared to deal with Brexit and avoid gridlock.
