MPs and colleagues “asked for directions to the brothel” and “hired sex workers” when traveling abroad

MPs and colleagues on parliamentary trips abroad “asked for directions to the nearest brothel”, hired sex workers and, as it turned out, failed to come to meetings after heavy drinking.

The allegations have scrutinized the activities of parliamentary groups from all parties, many of whom are dedicated to individual causes or individual countries.

There are currently more than 130 country-specific APPGs, often arranging lavish visits to those countries for their members.

Many have previously criticized these trips as “gimmicks” for MPs and colleagues.

A Politico investigation has now uncovered lurid claims about the activities of MPs and colleagues during such foreign visits.

A former Tory MP, who is now a member of the House of Lords, asked hosts for directions to the nearest brothel during an APPG visit to Southeast Asia, a fellow MP told the site.

A Politico investigation has now unearthed lurid allegations about the activities of MPs and colleagues on foreign visits

Another Conservative MP and former minister has been claimed to have “remained routine” and “come into contact with young women” at the end of APPG trips.

A senior Labor MP is said to have shown a fondness for “Russian girls”, while a former Tory MP is said to have hired a sex worker on a visit to China.

Other MPs are said to have jokingly referred to this as “getting a bouquet sent to the room” for the remainder of the trip, another attendee told the website.

The investigation also included allegations that three MPs on a trip after “heavy drinking” failed to show up for a breakfast meeting organized by the embassy the night before.

APPGs are informal bipartisan groups and have no official status in Parliament.

They are run by and for MPs and colleagues.

Concerns have previously been raised about the extent of lobbying by foreign states through interactions with APPGs.