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Cameron: Scandal worse than 1990s Cameron: Scandal worse than 1990s
(20 minutes later)
David Cameron has said the "scandals" besetting Labour are "worse" than those which afflicted the Conservative government of the mid-1990s.David Cameron has said the "scandals" besetting Labour are "worse" than those which afflicted the Conservative government of the mid-1990s.
He called for a full government inquiry into the apparent willingness of Geoff Hoon, Stephen Byers and Patricia Hewitt to help a lobbying firm for cash.He called for a full government inquiry into the apparent willingness of Geoff Hoon, Stephen Byers and Patricia Hewitt to help a lobbying firm for cash.
Labour has suspended the three ex-ministers from the parliamentary party after they were secretly filmed.Labour has suspended the three ex-ministers from the parliamentary party after they were secretly filmed.
Tory leader Mr Cameron said people would think all MPs were "sleazy pigs".Tory leader Mr Cameron said people would think all MPs were "sleazy pigs".
Mr Hoon, Mr Byers and Ms Hewitt are under investigation by Labour after being filmed for The Times newspaper and the Channel 4 show Dispatches.Mr Hoon, Mr Byers and Ms Hewitt are under investigation by Labour after being filmed for The Times newspaper and the Channel 4 show Dispatches.
Gordon Brown has ruled out a government inquiry into the former ministers' alleged links with serving ministers.Gordon Brown has ruled out a government inquiry into the former ministers' alleged links with serving ministers.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC it had been established there was not a "scintilla of evidence" that current ministers had done anything wrong.Justice Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC it had been established there was not a "scintilla of evidence" that current ministers had done anything wrong.
'Like a rash''Like a rash'
But Mr Cameron, speaking at his monthly press conference, said: "Anyone who watched the Dispatches programme last night could not help but be, frankly, disgusted by what they saw."But Mr Cameron, speaking at his monthly press conference, said: "Anyone who watched the Dispatches programme last night could not help but be, frankly, disgusted by what they saw."
He added: "We need a proper [government] inquiry into all of this."He added: "We need a proper [government] inquiry into all of this."
There's anger and incredulity about their stupidity... getting suckered by a sting like this Jack Straw, Justice Secretary Labour 'anger' with ex-ministers
Mr Cameron said: "The fact is the last government ended with scandals like this and the current government is ending with scandals that are, frankly, worse."Mr Cameron said: "The fact is the last government ended with scandals like this and the current government is ending with scandals that are, frankly, worse."
He added that lobbyists were "all over MPs like a rash". He added that lobbyists would be "all over MPs like a rash" in the next Parliament and there had to be safeguards.
The name of Parliament was being "dragged through the mud", with many of the public regarding all MPs as "sleazy pigs", Mr Cameron said.The name of Parliament was being "dragged through the mud", with many of the public regarding all MPs as "sleazy pigs", Mr Cameron said.
He promised that a Conservative government would forbid former ministers from working for lobbying firms for two years after leaving office - double the current one year.He promised that a Conservative government would forbid former ministers from working for lobbying firms for two years after leaving office - double the current one year.
Their activities would also be legally bound by official guidelines for 10 years, he said.Their activities would also be legally bound by official guidelines for 10 years, he said.
'No peerage''No peerage'
Three other politicians were featured in the Dispatches programme - Labour MP Margaret Moran, Labour's Baroness Morgan and Conservative MP John Butterfill.Three other politicians were featured in the Dispatches programme - Labour MP Margaret Moran, Labour's Baroness Morgan and Conservative MP John Butterfill.
It is understood that Bournemouth West MP Mr Butterfill - who was recorded saying he was likely to be given a peerage after leaving the Commons at the next election - has referred himself to the standards commissioner.It is understood that Bournemouth West MP Mr Butterfill - who was recorded saying he was likely to be given a peerage after leaving the Commons at the next election - has referred himself to the standards commissioner.
Mr Cameron said the peerage was "not going to happen", but there was no point withdrawing the Conservative whip in Parliament just two weeks before a general election is expected to be called.Mr Cameron said the peerage was "not going to happen", but there was no point withdrawing the Conservative whip in Parliament just two weeks before a general election is expected to be called.
Under Commons rules MPs can work for companies, but must declare payments and may not lobby ministers directly.Under Commons rules MPs can work for companies, but must declare payments and may not lobby ministers directly.
Mr Byers, a former transport secretary, was filmed by Dispatches saying he was like a "cab for hire" who would work for up to £5,000 a day and claimed to have saved millions of pounds for National Express, which wanted to get out of its East Coast mainline franchise.Mr Byers, a former transport secretary, was filmed by Dispatches saying he was like a "cab for hire" who would work for up to £5,000 a day and claimed to have saved millions of pounds for National Express, which wanted to get out of its East Coast mainline franchise.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told peers on Monday there was "no truth" in the claims, dismissing them as "pure fantasy".Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told peers on Monday there was "no truth" in the claims, dismissing them as "pure fantasy".
Mr Byers also said he had spoken to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson about getting food labelling proposals delayed, on behalf of supermarket Tesco.Mr Byers also said he had spoken to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson about getting food labelling proposals delayed, on behalf of supermarket Tesco.
Lord Mandelson, the business department, Tesco and National Express denied the claims - and Mr Byers said later he had overstated his case and had never lobbied ministers.Lord Mandelson, the business department, Tesco and National Express denied the claims - and Mr Byers said later he had overstated his case and had never lobbied ministers.
Former Defence Secretary Mr Hoon was filmed by Dispatches saying he wanted to make use of his international knowledge and contacts in a way that "makes money" and that he charged £3,000 a day.Former Defence Secretary Mr Hoon was filmed by Dispatches saying he wanted to make use of his international knowledge and contacts in a way that "makes money" and that he charged £3,000 a day.
Following the reports, Mr Hoon said he would not lobby government or "attempt to sell confidential or privileged information arising from my time in government".Following the reports, Mr Hoon said he would not lobby government or "attempt to sell confidential or privileged information arising from my time in government".
Ms Hewitt, a former health secretary, said she "completely rejected" the suggestion she helped obtain a key seat on a government advisory group for a client paying her £3,000 a day.Ms Hewitt, a former health secretary, said she "completely rejected" the suggestion she helped obtain a key seat on a government advisory group for a client paying her £3,000 a day.
All three former ministers deny any wrong-doing.All three former ministers deny any wrong-doing.