Photograph by Gene Hunt
The government has said it will amend the rules on lobbying with the next 12 months, after three peers were accused of agreeing to perform Parliamentary work for payment in an investigation by the Sunday Times.
Undercover reporters filmed Ulster Unionist Lord Laird, and Labour’s Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate and Lord Cunningham appearing to offer to help a fake solar energy company. The peers deny any wrongdoing.
This story comes just two days after Conservative MP Patrick Mercer was allegedly embroiled in another lobbying scandal after an investigation by BBC Panorama, after which he resigned the Tory whip and decided not to stand for re-election in 2014. Mr Mercer has taken legal advice over the claims.
David Cameron acknowledged the problem with lobbying in Westminster before becoming prime Minister, when he described the situation as “next big scandal waiting to happen”. The coalition government also promised to establish a statutory register of lobbyists to offer greater transparency, but critics have complained at the delay in setting this up.
