EXCLUSIVERevealed: Labour MP in undeclared relationship with boss of trade union she lobbied for in Parliament
A Labour MP is under pressure to explain why she lobbied Parliament on behalf of a trade union while in an undeclared relationship with its boss.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Durham MP Mary Foy is in a relationship with militant former fireman Matt Wrack, who led the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for two decades until January.
Ms Foy introduced two Early Day Motions on behalf of the union when Mr Wrack was the FBU's general secretary – one asking for a pay rise for firefighters and the other calling for the Government to support a union campaign.
She also accepted a £2,000 donation from the FBU for her 2024 General Election campaign, which she launched alongside Mr Wrack.
The union also provided a staff member from its political team to work in Ms Foy's parliamentary office for more than a year.
It is understood that Ms Foy has now contacted the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to check whether she has complied with the rules on MPs' declarations.
When approached for comment by the MoS, neither Ms Foy nor Mr Wrack denied the relationship but both maintained that Ms Foy had always campaigned for workers' rights.
Meanwhile, multiple well-placed sources have told this newspaper that it was 'well known' within the union that the pair began a relationship after splitting from previous partners.
Durham MP Mary Foy (pictured) is in a relationship with militant former fireman Matt Wrack
Mr Wrack (pictured) led the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for two decades until January
Ms Foy (centre) pictured with Mr Wrack (left) at the launch of her campaign on June 6, 2024
While they have now been together for several years, Ms Foy has not declared the relationship in the MPs' register of interests. The code of conduct requires MPs to declare any family members involved in lobbying the Government, which includes 'cohabiting partners'.
Asked repeatedly whether she felt that she should have declared the relationship, Ms Foy declined to answer.
Last night Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: 'If these allegations are correct, Ms Foy has serious questions to answer. MPs have a duty to be open and transparent if their family life has any bearing on our work at Westminster.
'Ms Foy should clarify immediately whether she has been so.'
Ms Foy came under scrutiny in 2021 during the 'Beergate' probe after Sir Keir Starmer was pictured drinking beer in her Durham office when there were strict Covid rules in place.
The Daily Mail reported in 2022 that she had launched a 'drunken tirade' on the Commons terrace against Richard Holden, the Tory MP who led calls for a police investigation into the event. She later apologised to him.
Police carried out a two-month investigation before concluding that there had been no breach of the ban on indoor mixing because it was a work gathering.
Ms Foy has been a long-time supporter of both the trade union movement generally and also the FBU. While in a relationship with Mr Wrack, Ms Foy said in 2023: 'I'll continue to back the demands of firefighters in Parliament.'
While they have now been together for several years, Ms Foy (pictured after winning her seat in the 2024 General Election) has not declared the relationship in the MPs' register of interests
Ms Foy reportedly launched a 'drunken tirade' on the Commons terrace against Richard Holden (pictured)
Mr Wrack has faced his share of scrutiny in recent months after he failed to be re-elected as the FBU's general secretary in January and then was controversially named as the head of Britain's second-largest teaching union, despite having never been a teacher.
The militant socialist was appointed to the £130,000-a-year job at the NASUWT unopposed, but there will now be a contested election for the role after a challenger launched legal action, claiming that he had been barred from running.
A spokesman for Ms Foy said: 'Mary Foy works with a wide range of stakeholders, including a number of trade unions.
'Mary has proudly advocated for paramedics, prison officers, teachers, firefighters, doctors and other frontline staff in Durham, the wider North East and indeed the country during her time as an MP – that work will continue.'
Mr Wrack said the FBU had introduced a conflict-of-interest policy under his leadership and that he did not attend any discussion on donations relating to the 2024 General Election
He added: 'It is entirely reasonable for an MP to raise concerns about the pay of dedicated public servants, especially after years of austerity and falling living standards.'
An FBU spokesman said: 'Our union's funding of the Labour Party and a number of its MPs is completely transparent.'
A spokesman from the Fire Brigades Union said: 'Our union's funding of the Labour Party and a number of its MPs is completely transparent. Ours is the cleanest money in politics.
Ms Foy joins parents demonstrating in support of St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham
Mr Wrack (pictured) failed to be re-elected as the FBU's general secretary in January and then was controversially named as the head of Britain's second-largest teaching union, despite having never been a teacher
The militant socialist (pictured) was appointed to the £130,000-a-year job at the NASUWT unopposed, but there will now be a contested election for the role after a challenger launched legal action
'Every political donation made by the union goes through a process and is agreed by the FBU's executive council.
'The FBU is proud of the role our representatives played in campaigning to ensure that Labour's General Election manifesto included a plan to extend workers' rights such as by banning zero-hour contracts and outlawing fire and rehire.
'Labour must be funded by trade unions and membership subscriptions.
'That transparent relationship is in stark contrast to that of the Tories and Reform UK who are bankrolled by the super rich.'
