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MPs to decide on Phillips inquiry | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
MPs will decide later whether the head of the UK equalities watchdog should be investigated over claims he tried to influence a parliamentary committee. | |
MPs and peers had been looking into the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, after a spate of resignations. | MPs and peers had been looking into the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, after a spate of resignations. |
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. | 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 disagrees but has said he is happy to co-operate. | Mr Phillips disagrees but has said he is happy to co-operate. |
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. | 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. |
'Clique' claims | 'Clique' claims |
But in January MPs backed another contempt inquiry by the Commons standards and privileges committee into a law firm at the request of Lib Dem MP John Hemming. | |
On Tuesday afternoon they will debate a motion put down by the chairman of the joint human rights committee, the Labour MP Andrew Dismore. | On Tuesday afternoon they will debate a motion put down by the chairman of the joint human rights committee, the Labour MP Andrew Dismore. |
Mr Dismore's committee had been investigating the work of the equalities watchdog, after several commissioners and the chief executive resigned. | Mr Dismore's committee had been investigating the work of the equalities watchdog, after several commissioners and the chief executive resigned. |
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. | 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. |
He said he did not "recognise" that picture and most members of the board had no trouble disagreeing with him, or each other. | He said he did not "recognise" that picture and most members of the board had no trouble disagreeing with him, or each other. |
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. | 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. |
"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. | "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. | 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 support 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." |