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Tory MP returns to environment role after being cleared of abusing position Tory MP returns to environment role after being cleared of abusing position
(35 minutes later)
Tory MP Tim Yeo has been cleared of allegations he abused his position as chairman of the Commons energy committee to further the interests of his business contacts.Tory MP Tim Yeo has been cleared of allegations he abused his position as chairman of the Commons energy committee to further the interests of his business contacts.
MPs on the standards committee said Yeo had not breached any rules and the only misrepresentation had been committed by Sunday Times reporters who posed as potential clients in a sting operation.MPs on the standards committee said Yeo had not breached any rules and the only misrepresentation had been committed by Sunday Times reporters who posed as potential clients in a sting operation.
The senior Tory, a champion of green issues, will return as chairman after stepping aside and referring himself to the committee for investigation in June.The senior Tory, a champion of green issues, will return as chairman after stepping aside and referring himself to the committee for investigation in June.
The Sunday Times had reported he told undercover journalists he could lobby ministers on behalf of a company. He was also alleged to have coached an executive on what to say when giving evidence to his committee.The Sunday Times had reported he told undercover journalists he could lobby ministers on behalf of a company. He was also alleged to have coached an executive on what to say when giving evidence to his committee.
The standards committee report by a cross-party group of MPs said it "deplored" stings but would "not hesitate to act in such cases if wrongdoing had occurred".The standards committee report by a cross-party group of MPs said it "deplored" stings but would "not hesitate to act in such cases if wrongdoing had occurred".
They reserved their strongest criticism for the newspaper, saying: "We note the severe damage which is done to public trust by journalism which rests on a basis of subterfuge, misrepresentation and selective quotation.They reserved their strongest criticism for the newspaper, saying: "We note the severe damage which is done to public trust by journalism which rests on a basis of subterfuge, misrepresentation and selective quotation.
"Media investigations can have a role to play in ensuring high standards of public conduct but we note that in this case Mr Yeo has broken no rules and the only misrepresentation has been that of the journalists themselves.""Media investigations can have a role to play in ensuring high standards of public conduct but we note that in this case Mr Yeo has broken no rules and the only misrepresentation has been that of the journalists themselves."
In a statement, Yeo said: "I welcome this report. After a full investigation, the parliamentary standards commissioner accepted, as I have always maintained, that I did not break the rules of the house.In a statement, Yeo said: "I welcome this report. After a full investigation, the parliamentary standards commissioner accepted, as I have always maintained, that I did not break the rules of the house.
"This investigation included a thorough examination of the full video-recording produced – after a six-week delay – to the commissioner by the Sunday Times."This investigation included a thorough examination of the full video-recording produced – after a six-week delay – to the commissioner by the Sunday Times.
"Based on what I actually said, rather than what I was reported by the newspaper to have said, the commissioner found and the committee confirms that I have not acted in breach of the code of conduct.""Based on what I actually said, rather than what I was reported by the newspaper to have said, the commissioner found and the committee confirms that I have not acted in breach of the code of conduct."
The standards committee also this month cleared Tory MP Mark Pritchard, who was accused of using his position to further his business interests by the Daily Telegraph after a similar undercover sting. The standards committee also ruled this month that there was insufficient evidence to mount an investigation into allegations that Tory MP Mark Pritchard exploited foreign contacts to set up business deals. The claim followed a similar undercover sting by the Daily Telegraph.
In June, Peter Cruddas, the former Tory treasurer, won a libel lawsuit against the Sunday Times over a story falsely alleging he was prepared to take improper donations following an undercover sting. The newspaper is appealing against the decision.In June, Peter Cruddas, the former Tory treasurer, won a libel lawsuit against the Sunday Times over a story falsely alleging he was prepared to take improper donations following an undercover sting. The newspaper is appealing against the decision.
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