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MPs will debate Phillips claims MPs to vote on Phillips inquiry
(about 19 hours later)
MPs are to debate claims that equalities chief Trevor Phillips tried to influence a parliamentary committee. MPs will vote later on whether the head of the UK equalities watchdog should be investigated over claims he tried to influence a parliamentary committee.
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. MPs and peers had been looking into the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, after a spate of resignations.
The committee had said Mr Phillips spoke to some of its members about a draft report they were writing on him. But they said Trevor Phillips, its chairman, spoke to some of them about a draft report, which they say could amount to a contempt of Parliament.
Mr Phillips has said he does not believe his actions amounted to contempt but was happy to co-operate. Mr Phillips disagrees but has said he is happy to co-operate.
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. It is unusual for someone who is not a politician to be investigated over a possible contempt of Parliament - the last to be called to the House to be formally rebuked was Sunday Express editor John Junor in 1957.
Three members 'Clique' claims
The committee had been investigating the running of the equalities watchdog after a several resignations of commissioners and the chief executive within months. But in January MPs voted to allow another contempt inquiry by the Commons standards and privileges committee into a law firm at the request of Lib Dem MP John Hemming.
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. On Tuesday afternoon they will debate a motion put down by the chairman of the joint human rights committee, the Labour MP Andrew Dismore.
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 Mr Dismore's committee had been investigating the work of the equalities watchdog, after several commissioners and the chief executive resigned.
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. Mr Phillips appeared before them in December and defended himself against accusations he surrounded himself with a "clique" and other commissioners felt they could not speak.
"We recommend that the matter should be subject to investigation by the privileges committees of both Houses." He said he did not "recognise" that picture and most members of the board had no trouble disagreeing with him, or each other.
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. But in February the committee published a statement saying it had emerged that Mr Phillips had "recently spoken to at least three members" about consideration of its draft report and the publication of written evidence.
Clique claims "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," it said.
On Monday Commons Speaker John Bercow granted time for a debate on Mr Dismore's motion - which will take place on Tuesday afternoon.
If MPs vote for an inquiry by the Commons standards and privileges committee. Mr Phillips could be called to answer questions.
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.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.