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| Commons watchdog chair stands aside over rule breach allegation | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The chair of the Commons watchdog has referred himself to the standards commissioner and stood aside from his position after claims that he breached rules. | |
| Sir Kevin Barron allegedly promised to arrange three events in parliament for a group of companies in return for payment, according to a report in the Telegraph. | Sir Kevin Barron allegedly promised to arrange three events in parliament for a group of companies in return for payment, according to a report in the Telegraph. |
| MPs are prohibited from using Commons resources to “confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else”. | MPs are prohibited from using Commons resources to “confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else”. |
| Barron, who chaired the standards committee, denies any wrongdoing, claiming that he has made no personal gain because all fees were paid to charity. | Barron, who chaired the standards committee, denies any wrongdoing, claiming that he has made no personal gain because all fees were paid to charity. |
| In a letter to Kathryn Hudson, the commissioner for standards, who conducts inquiries that are then referred to the committee, the Labour MP wrote: “My own understanding is that due to the fact that I made no personal gain and all the fees were paid to charity, I had not breached the rules on usage of parliamentary facilities for personal or business use. | In a letter to Kathryn Hudson, the commissioner for standards, who conducts inquiries that are then referred to the committee, the Labour MP wrote: “My own understanding is that due to the fact that I made no personal gain and all the fees were paid to charity, I had not breached the rules on usage of parliamentary facilities for personal or business use. |
| “It is a matter of record that I followed the rules in registering this interest and that I deposited an agreement for the provision of services, as the rules required.” | “It is a matter of record that I followed the rules in registering this interest and that I deposited an agreement for the provision of services, as the rules required.” |
| According to the Telegraph, since beginning work for the organisation in 2011, Barron has organised two dinners and a breakfast in parliament for tthe Japanese Pharmaceutical Group (JPG). | According to the Telegraph, since beginning work for the organisation in 2011, Barron has organised two dinners and a breakfast in parliament for tthe Japanese Pharmaceutical Group (JPG). |
| Barron has lodged several contracts with the parliamentary authorities regarding his work for the JPG. One, dated 14 September 2012, sets out that the MP will be paid up to £5,000 a year. | |
| It describes the “services we [JPG] expect Kevin Barron to provide”. This includes that the company should be able to meet Sir Kevin three times a year to “discuss key topics” and that it “may look to hold the occasional event in the House of Commons which he may sponsor/host”. |