I partially agree with you on the notion of “friend”. Indeed, the words “friend” or “close family” can mean brothers or brothers-in-law, for instance.
People may wonder why an MP is now receiving certain invitations or gifts worth more than $1,000 or $1,500 when the MP wasn't receiving any before being elected. If I'm invited to a $500 dinner, for example, and I don't have to pay, I have to wonder if I would have been invited before becoming an MP.