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Peers to get standards watchdog Peers face lobbying for cash ban
(10 minutes later)
The House of Lords is set to get its own standards watchdog in the wake of cash for influence allegations, Lords leader Baroness Royall has said. Peers are set to be banned from taking payments to advise companies on how to lobby Parliament in the wake of the cash for influence allegations.
Peers would also be banned from advising companies on how best to lobby Parliament under the proposals. Lords would also get their own standards watchdog under the proposals, Lords leader Baroness Royall has said.
The recommended changes follow an inquiry by Lord Eames.The recommended changes follow an inquiry by Lord Eames.
It was prompted by claims four Labour lords offered to try to amend laws for cash. All denied the allegations but two were suspended for misconduct.It was prompted by claims four Labour lords offered to try to amend laws for cash. All denied the allegations but two were suspended for misconduct.
Peers do not get salaries and are entitled to take outside employment.Peers do not get salaries and are entitled to take outside employment.
But Lord Eames recommends tightening up their code of conduct, which his report says should emphasise the duty to act in the public interest.But Lord Eames recommends tightening up their code of conduct, which his report says should emphasise the duty to act in the public interest.
It proposes an outright ban on "parliamentary consultancies" - peers accepting payment for advice "on how to lobby or otherwise influence Parliament".It proposes an outright ban on "parliamentary consultancies" - peers accepting payment for advice "on how to lobby or otherwise influence Parliament".
'Inappropriate attitudes''Inappropriate attitudes'
It recommends the appointment of a House of Lords commissioner for standards to investigate allegations of misconduct and the misuse of facilities.It recommends the appointment of a House of Lords commissioner for standards to investigate allegations of misconduct and the misuse of facilities.
The commissioner would report to the sub-committee on Lords interests, which would decide what action to take.The commissioner would report to the sub-committee on Lords interests, which would decide what action to take.
Earlier this year, The Sunday Times said Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor offered to make amendments to legislation in return for cash payments.Earlier this year, The Sunday Times said Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor offered to make amendments to legislation in return for cash payments.
The newspaper claimed its reporters approached the men pretending to be lobbyists acting for a company which wanted help getting an exemption from laws on business rates.The newspaper claimed its reporters approached the men pretending to be lobbyists acting for a company which wanted help getting an exemption from laws on business rates.
The peers denied the allegations, saying no money changed hands.The peers denied the allegations, saying no money changed hands.
But peers voted to suspend the pair from Parliament for six months for misconduct, after they were found by a Lords committee to be willing to change laws in exchange for cash.But peers voted to suspend the pair from Parliament for six months for misconduct, after they were found by a Lords committee to be willing to change laws in exchange for cash.
The newspaper also made allegations against Lord Snape and another Labour peer, Lord Moonie.The newspaper also made allegations against Lord Snape and another Labour peer, Lord Moonie.
The two were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing by the privileges committee but were invited to apologise for "inappropriate attitudes" to their duties, which were brought to light during the investigation.The two were ultimately cleared of wrongdoing by the privileges committee but were invited to apologise for "inappropriate attitudes" to their duties, which were brought to light during the investigation.
There is a separate review on "options for the system of financial support" for peers which is being conducted by the Senior Salaries Review Body and will be published in a few weeks.There is a separate review on "options for the system of financial support" for peers which is being conducted by the Senior Salaries Review Body and will be published in a few weeks.