Justin Tomlinson MP suspended over Wonga report leak

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37613765

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Tory MP Justin Tomlinson has been suspended from the House of Commons for leaking a draft committee report.

The North Swindon MP shared the findings of an inquiry into regulating consumer credit with a Wonga employee in 2013.

MPs backed a finding by the Commons Committee of Privileges that he had "committed a contempt" in disclosing the report.

The former disability minister's two-day suspension will begin on Tuesday.

Last month, when the Privilege Committee's report was released, Mr Tomlinson issued a "full and unreserved apology".

He said his judgement had "been clouded", apologised and accepted he broke the rules.

The incident happened when Mr Tomlinson was a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in May 2013.

He gave a confidential draft report on regulating consumer credit to an employee of payday lender Wonga, who replied with comments and suggested amendments to the report.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Hudson noted that Mr Tomlinson's actions "provided Wonga with an additional opportunity, not available to or known to anyone else, to influence the recommendations of the committee".

Commons Leader David Lidington moved the motion which called for Mr Tomlinson's two-day suspension, which was approved in the Commons unopposed with support from Labour.