THE MP for Torridge and Tavistock has dismissed criticism from the local branch of the Liberal Democrats.

Phil Hutty, a spokesperson for the party who stood against Sir Geoffrey Cox KC in the 2024 General Election criticised the MP for his work outside of Parliament.

Mr Hutty said that the long-serving parliamentarian had taken on another ‘controversial’ legal case for a foreign client, which he felt was ‘squeezing the time available’ for representing his constituents in Torridge and Tavistock.

In this instance, Mr Hutty alleged that Sir Geoffrey was representing West Cumbria Mining, a company which he claims is headquartered in Singapore in its case against the UK Government over the decision to block the development of a new coal mine.

Sir Geoffrey dismissed the criticism, branding it as ‘attention seeking’ by his opponent.

It is not the first time that Sir Geoffrey has been subject to criticism for his work as a lawyer outside of Parliament.

In a letter to the The Post, Mr Hutty said: “I was shocked to read that that Sir Geoffrey Cox has taken on another controversial legal case for a foreign client, squeezing the time available for representing his constituents.

“Our MP is reported to be representing West Cumbria Mining in their suit against the UK Government through a holding company based in Singapore.

“If they win their case, challenging a High Court ruling to block the development of a new coal mine, the taxpayer could be left with a huge bill.

“But, yet again, our absentee MP has chosen to prioritise his career interests over his duty to constituents. An MP's salary is already very generous. It cannot be right to be raking in eight or nine times that through representing foreign interests. It makes my blood boil that if he is successful in winning this case, the British taxpayer will have to foot the bill.

“Sir Geoffrey has for years been one of the top-earning MPs for work outside Parliament. He was widely criticised in 2021 for representing Caribbean tax havens against the Conservative government, which was seeking to clamp down on corruption.

“During the Covid crisis he caused a scandal by voting remotely from the British Virgin Islands and last year missed an important vote on the winter fuel allowance because he was in Mauritius.

“The impression Sir Geoffrey seems to create, is unfortunately one of raking in the cash from dodgy foreign clients rather than service to the community he was elected to represent. We need a full time MP who is visible and present in our towns and villages and puts their constituents first.”

However, Sir Geoffrey dismissed the concerns when asked for a response.

In a statement, he said: “If the Liberal Democrat wants to seek attention by throwing mud, that is up to him. I have never regarded it as useful to trade insults with political opponents and I don’t intend to start now.”