An all-expenses paid trip to Algeria, a cricket bat and circus tickets were among gifts received by councillors during the last year, according to a council register.
Other perks given included tickets to a Franz Ferdinand concert, Arsenal FC scarves and a prayer rug from a Somali women’s organisation.
Councillor Mouna Hamitouche, in her role as co-ordinator of the Algerian British Connection, received a number of gifts related to the country, including three nights’ free accommodation and food for a stay in the Saharan oasis town of Biskra. The visit was in addition to a separate paid trip to Africa.
Officials also benefited from a number of invitations to dinners and awards ceremonies.
The register also reveals the extent of councillors’ generosity. Eight Islington councillors donated gifts of Sainsbury’s vouchers they had received to local charities and to a festive party for elderly people in the borough.
Council leader Catherine West also showed her charitable side by giving a Christmas cake she had been baked to the Pilion Trust, a homeless charity based in Islington.
