By Press Release
Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, has travelled to Davos in Switzerland to speak at the World Economic Forum (WEF) about Russia and Ukraine.
Last week, Labour councillor, Richard Quigley, questioned whether Mr Seely was travelling to Switzerland to take part in the annual parliamentary skiing trip or for the WEF meeting.
After Cllr Quigley contacted the IW Observer, we asked Mr Seely’s office whether he was skiing in Davos or going to the World Economic Forum; they quickly responded to say that he was in London. We asked further questions but they did not disclose that he was going to the WEF until after the article appeared last week.
Cllr Quigley said: “It seems I have done Bob Seely a disservice in assuming he was skiing in Davos.“ His office now says he is going to the WEF to talk about Russia and Ukraine, subjects very close to his heart and which he talks about frequently in parliament. On Tuesday this week, he called another debate, this time on political prisoners in the Russian Federation. And, of course, he charged all his Russian lessons to the taxpayer.
“My point remains though that the focus of the Island’s MP should be firmly on us and our problems and raising issues the government is responsible for, such as getting on with the promised but undelivered Island Deal and sorting out our only hospital, which is now in permanent crisis.
“Lots of MPs support Ukraine. We only have Bob to support the Island, something he isn’t doing.”
Mr Seely’s office would not disclose who paid for the trip. A spokeswoman said: “As always, Bob will declare this in due course and according to the rules and regulations.“
Pictured: Davos Congress Centre
