AN ANGRY Worcestershire MP has aimed fire at an online ticket sale company - accusing it of showing "contempt" for parliament.
Nigel Huddleston has taken part in an investigation by the culture, media and sport select committee over internet firms flogging concert tickets at sky-high prices.
But during yesterday's session Viagogo, based in the Netherlands, failed to send anyone to answer questions in an inexplicable snub.
It is highly unusual for any House of Commons select committee witnesses to fail to testify, with the company's decision leaving a glaring empty chair in front of a collection of frustrated MPs.
A furious Mr Huddleston said: "They have clearly shown lack of respect to parliamentarians and by extension, the British public - and I think we all need to be very angry at that.
"If we had a tub of lard or a handbag available I'm sure we would have put it on the chair today."
During the debate the Mid-Worcestershire MP gave the example of Little Mix concert tickets advertised on Viagogo with a face value of £45 being offered for sale at an eye-watering £1,914, which included various extra admin charges.
He also criticised the "psychological manipulation" by third party ticketing platforms, such as prompting customers with messages about how many other people are viewing the tickets and warning that they are likely to 'sell out soon'.
Today, he said: "The original intent of the secondary ticket market was to provide a service to consumers unable to turn up to an event.
"It's important to remember that those purchasing tickets from secondary platforms are still fans.
"However the evidence we heard shows instead of being provided with a service, fans are being deceived into buying invalid tickets and often at a price far higher than the original face value.
"We need to bring an end to this exploitation by increasing consumer awareness about potentially fraudulent and invalid ticket sales and making consumers more aware of how to find legitimate ticketing platforms.
"Together with my colleagues on the committee, I will also continue to explore whether further legislative change is necessary and review the enforcement of existing legislation."
The hearing came weeks after Viagogo was criticised over a decision to resell tickets to an Ed Sheeran cancer charity gig.
It was advertising circle seats at the Royal Albert Hall concert, which is in aid of teenage cancer patients, for up to £5,000.
Yesterday the company said it did not have a senior manager available to send to the hearing.
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