A not-for-profit organisation has explained why they fund foreign trips for MPs and those wanting to become MPs.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his team have been criticised in recent weeks for accepting gifts, including clothing.

Eleven North East MPs have declared donations including event tickets and foreign trips in August and September.

One of these MPs was Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, who had a trip to Sri Lanka paid for by The Coalition for Global Prosperity, to work with Sri Lankan authorities aiming to remove all landmines in the country.

The organisation covered expenses for flights, transportation, accommodation, meals, and subsistence for the trip which visited locations in the South Asian country including Colombo and Jafna.

A spokesperson for the Coalition for Global Prosperity told The Northern Echo: "It is vitally important that Members of Parliament, who vote on and have influence over development, get to see first hand the work of UK aid and expertise overseas.

"We have worked with partners on the ground around the world to help show MPs the real impact that the UK’s aid programme can have.

"Visits are organised and paid for at no expense to the UK tax payer."

The trip took place from March 4 to March 9 2024, before the election was called.

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Mr Rushworth said that his visit was to "promote Britain as a force for good in the world".

He told The Northern Echo: "In March, I visited Sri Lanka with Coalition for Global Prosperity (CGP) who funded the visit. I volunteered my time for free, taking annual leave from my day job at Durham University."

His visit included working with the Sri Lankan authorities to remove all landmines in Sri Lanka, preventing citizens, including children, from getting maimed in accidents and enabling people to return to their land and livelihoods.

"This is an excellent example of Britain promoting peace and security around the world," the Bishop Auckland MP said.

"Since becoming a Member of Parliament, I have declined all invitations to join delegations overseas, because I have been busy recruiting a team and setting up an office so I can provide a quality service to my constituents, who will always come first for me.

"I believe if MPs do accept invitations they should do so sparingly and ensure that any visit enhances rather than distracts from their work and that they are properly declared to avoid conflicts of interest."