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MPs deny breaking room hire rules MPs defend Commons room bookings
(10 minutes later)
MPs accused of booking rooms in the Commons to entertain corporate clients have denied any wrongdoing.MPs accused of booking rooms in the Commons to entertain corporate clients have denied any wrongdoing.
Ex-Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who hosted BT after joining its board, said she did not break the rules.Ex-Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who hosted BT after joining its board, said she did not break the rules.
Communities Secretary John Denham said a breakfast he hosted for Axa was not connected to work he had done for them.Communities Secretary John Denham said a breakfast he hosted for Axa was not connected to work he had done for them.
Tory leader David Cameron has admitted breaking rules which say MPs must be present at events they booked but his office said it would not happen again.Tory leader David Cameron has admitted breaking rules which say MPs must be present at events they booked but his office said it would not happen again.
MPs who book rooms are meant to be at the event throughout to take responsibility for guests' behaviour.MPs who book rooms are meant to be at the event throughout to take responsibility for guests' behaviour.
'Complete oversight''Complete oversight'
A spokeswoman for Mr Cameron said he had broken this rule on about half of the 16 occasions he booked rooms. A spokeswoman for Mr Cameron said he had broken this rule on about half of the 16 occasions he booked rooms between 2004 and 2009.
Contrary to some reports, the Tory leader had been present at a tea for West Oxfordshire Lady Freemasons, his office said, but had not attended a number of events he had booked for dental organisations.Contrary to some reports, the Tory leader had been present at a tea for West Oxfordshire Lady Freemasons, his office said, but had not attended a number of events he had booked for dental organisations.
I was asked to host an event once the work was well under way and I was happy to agree to this John Denham, communities secretary Commons hospitality list revealedI was asked to host an event once the work was well under way and I was happy to agree to this John Denham, communities secretary Commons hospitality list revealed
The Tory leader's spokeswoman said: "We accept this is a complete oversight and it won't happen again."The Tory leader's spokeswoman said: "We accept this is a complete oversight and it won't happen again."
On Tuesday, the Commons banqueting office released details of 8,000 bookings made by MPs between 2004 and 2009. On Tuesday, the Commons banqueting office released details of 8,000 bookings made by MPs between 2004 and 2009. There is no charge for the use of the rooms but any food must be paid for.
The majority of the bookings were for charity and community groups but 62 MPs booked dinners or receptions for lobbying firms.The majority of the bookings were for charity and community groups but 62 MPs booked dinners or receptions for lobbying firms.
A number of MPs also booked banqueting rooms for companies they were being paid by as consultants or directors.A number of MPs also booked banqueting rooms for companies they were being paid by as consultants or directors.
Patricia Hewitt used Commons banqueting facilities to host events for BT in December 2008 and February 2009. She joined the company as a non-executive director in March 2008.Patricia Hewitt used Commons banqueting facilities to host events for BT in December 2008 and February 2009. She joined the company as a non-executive director in March 2008.
Ms Hewitt said she had acted "in accordance with parliamentary rules".Ms Hewitt said she had acted "in accordance with parliamentary rules".
Rules clarifiedRules clarified
Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham used a Parliamentary room for a Breakfast for AXA Derbak in June 2006, when he was a backbencher.Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham used a Parliamentary room for a Breakfast for AXA Derbak in June 2006, when he was a backbencher.
The register of members' interests published in November 2006 shows he declared a "one-off consultancy" with AXA to advise on a research project and publication on employer pension provision, for which he was paid £5,000.The register of members' interests published in November 2006 shows he declared a "one-off consultancy" with AXA to advise on a research project and publication on employer pension provision, for which he was paid £5,000.
In a statement, Mr Denham said he had a long-standing interest in this area of policy and had registered the work "in the proper way".In a statement, Mr Denham said he had a long-standing interest in this area of policy and had registered the work "in the proper way".
"The agreement to carry out the work, was made prior to, and entirely separate from, a second request to host a breakfast for the policy-making community, for which I was not paid."The agreement to carry out the work, was made prior to, and entirely separate from, a second request to host a breakfast for the policy-making community, for which I was not paid.
"I was asked to host an event once the work was well under way and I was happy to agree to this, and to speak, as I was keen to encourage debate about the important issue of pension provision in the UK.""I was asked to host an event once the work was well under way and I was happy to agree to this, and to speak, as I was keen to encourage debate about the important issue of pension provision in the UK."
Under the rules, MPs and peers are not meant to use the facilities for "direct or indirect financial or material gain by a sponsor, political party, or any other person or outside organisation", with the exception of charities.Under the rules, MPs and peers are not meant to use the facilities for "direct or indirect financial or material gain by a sponsor, political party, or any other person or outside organisation", with the exception of charities.
They may be allowed to hold events in which they have an interest provided they declare it and make it clear on the invitation, at the discretion of the banqueting office.They may be allowed to hold events in which they have an interest provided they declare it and make it clear on the invitation, at the discretion of the banqueting office.
But there is no ban on using private dining rooms for "political functions" or "lobbying purposes", although product promotions and book launches are banned.But there is no ban on using private dining rooms for "political functions" or "lobbying purposes", although product promotions and book launches are banned.
The rules on how MPs can book rooms were clarified in March 2007 after a complaint by two Labour MPs that they were being used by Conservative MPs for fund-raising events.The rules on how MPs can book rooms were clarified in March 2007 after a complaint by two Labour MPs that they were being used by Conservative MPs for fund-raising events.