This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8528922.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MPs 'can debate Phillips claims' MPs will debate Phillips claims
(about 1 hour later)
MPs will be allowed to debate claims that equalities chief Trevor Phillips tried to influence a committee of MPs and peers. MPs are to debate claims that equalities chief Trevor Phillips tried to influence a parliamentary committee.
Speaker John Bercow said if a motion was tabled by the chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the debate would be held on Tuesday afternoon. Speaker John Bercow has given the go-ahead for a debate on Tuesday after a motion was tabled by the chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.
The committee said Mr Phillips spoke to several of its members about a draft report they were preparing about him. The committee had said Mr Phillips spoke to some of its members about a draft report they were writing on him.
Mr Phillips says he does not believe his actions amounted to contempt. Mr Phillips has said he does not believe his actions amounted to contempt but was happy to co-operate.
The head of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission was being investigated by the committee of MPs and peers after several commissioners resigned from the body. If MPs vote for an inquiry by the Commons standards and privileges committee. Mr Phillips, head of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, could be called to answer questions.
Earlier this month, the committee published a one-paragraph report which said it had emerged that he had "recently spoken to at least three members" about its draft report. Three members
'Happy to co-operate' The committee had been investigating the running of the equalities watchdog after a several resignations of commissioners and the chief executive within months.
Earlier this month, the committee published a one-paragraph report which said it had emerged that Mr Phillips had "recently spoken to at least three members" about its draft report.
Neither Mr Phillips nor the commission is aware of any reason why any of his actions might amount to a contempt Equalities and Human Rights Commission
The committee said: "In our view these discussions could constitute a contempt of both Houses in that they may be an attempt to influence the views of certain members of the committee shortly before it considered a draft report directly relevant to Mr Phillips in his role as chair of the EHRC.The committee said: "In our view these discussions could constitute a contempt of both Houses in that they may be an attempt to influence the views of certain members of the committee shortly before it considered a draft report directly relevant to Mr Phillips in his role as chair of the EHRC.
"We recommend that the matter should be subject to investigation by the privileges committees of both Houses.""We recommend that the matter should be subject to investigation by the privileges committees of both Houses."
Committee chairman Andrew Dismore submitted a formal request to the Commons Speaker, who had to decide whether to grant parliamentary time for a debate on the matter. On Monday Mr Bercow said a debate could be held on Tuesday if the chairman of the human rights committee, the Labour MP Andrew Dismore, tabled a motion. Mr Dismore has told the BBC he has done so.
At the time, the equalities watchdog said: "Neither Mr Phillips nor the commission is aware of any reason why any of his actions might amount to a contempt of the Houses of Parliament. Clique claims
Earlier this month the Equalities and Human Rights Commission said: "Neither Mr Phillips nor the commission is aware of any reason why any of his actions might amount to a contempt of the Houses of Parliament.
"Should the parliamentary authorities decide to take this matter further both Mr Phillips and the commission would be happy to cooperate fully.""Should the parliamentary authorities decide to take this matter further both Mr Phillips and the commission would be happy to cooperate fully."
The parliamentary inquiry into the equalities body has heard former commissioners claim there was a "culture of intimidation" and a "clique that the chair surrounded himself with".
But in his evidence to the committee in December, Mr Phillips said "arguments" and "passions" were part of the EHRC's role as it was dealing with difficult issues.
It is rare for non-politicians to be investigated for contempt of Parliament - the last to be called to the House to be formally rebuked was Sunday Express editor John Junor in 1957.
But in January the Commons backed a contempt investigation into a law firm which Lib Dem MP John Hemming had complained had tried to intimidate him.