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| Peers face lobbying for cash ban | Peers face lobbying for cash ban |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Peers are set to be banned from taking payments to advise companies on how to lobby Parliament, in the wake of cash for influence allegations. | Peers are set to be banned from taking payments to advise companies on how to lobby Parliament, in the wake of cash for influence allegations. |
| Lords would also get their own standards watchdog under the proposals, Lords leader Baroness Royall has said. | 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 crossbench peer Lord Eames, the former Archbishop of Armagh, recommends tightening up their code of conduct, which his report says should emphasise the duty to act in the public interest. | But crossbench peer Lord Eames, the former Archbishop of Armagh, recommends tightening up their code of conduct, which his report says should emphasise the duty to act in the public interest. |
| He said: "There is no place in the House of Lords for 'peers for hire'." | |
| He added: "People should look on it as a privilege when given an opportunity to serve in the House of Lords." | |
| Lord Eames' report 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 also recommends the appointment of a House of Lords commissioner for standards to investigate allegations of misconduct and the misuse of facilities. | It also 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. |
| It is thorough and important piece of work that deserves careful consideration by members of this House Lady Royall Peers to face expenses clampdown | It is thorough and important piece of work that deserves careful consideration by members of this House Lady Royall Peers to face expenses clampdown |
| The report also calls for peers paid for non-parliamentary public affairs consultancy to be required to declare whom they advise. | The report also calls for peers paid for non-parliamentary public affairs consultancy to be required to declare whom they advise. |
| 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. |
| 'Vital blueprint' | 'Vital blueprint' |
| The cross-party committee which considered the proposals was set up by Lady Royall in May. | The cross-party committee which considered the proposals was set up by Lady Royall in May. |
| Lady Royall told peers: "This is a unanimous report from a group chaired by a member of the crossbenchers and including representatives from all the political parties and I urge all members of this House to study and consider it. | Lady Royall told peers: "This is a unanimous report from a group chaired by a member of the crossbenchers and including representatives from all the political parties and I urge all members of this House to study and consider it. |
| "I believe it offers a vital blueprint for the future of this House. It is a thorough and important piece of work that deserves careful consideration by members of this House." | "I believe it offers a vital blueprint for the future of this House. It is a thorough and important piece of work that deserves careful consideration by members of this House." |
| Liberal Democrats and Tories welcomed the publication of the report, but Labour's Lord Peston called for an initial "take note" debate rather than one that ended with a vote on whether to accept the new proposals. | Liberal Democrats and Tories welcomed the publication of the report, but Labour's Lord Peston called for an initial "take note" debate rather than one that ended with a vote on whether to accept the new proposals. |
| Lady Royall replied: "I think when you have read the report you may think a take note motion is perhaps not the most appropriate one." | Lady Royall replied: "I think when you have read the report you may think a take note motion is perhaps not the most appropriate one." |
| But she said she would hold further discussions on the issue. | But she said she would hold further discussions on the issue. |
| 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. |