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Rifkind steps down as security committee chairman Rifkind steps down as security committee chairman
(35 minutes later)
Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to step down as chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee following criticism over "cash-for-access" claims. Sir Malcolm Rifkind is stepping down as chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee after criticism over "cash-for-access" claims.
He is also standing down as a Conservative MP, Downing Street said. The former foreign secretary is also standing down as a Conservative MP.
Sir Malcolm was secretly recorded apparently offering his services to a private firm for cash. Sir Malcolm denies any wrongdoing after being secretly recorded apparently offering his services to a private firm for cash.
He said none of the controversy related to the committee but did not want its work to be "distracted or affected". He said the controversy did not relate to the committee but did not want its work to be "distracted or affected".
Another former foreign secretary, Labour's Jack Straw, also featured in the undercover investigation by Daily Telegraph and Channel 4's Dispatches.
Both MPs have referred themselves to Parliament's standards watchdog and both deny breaching House of Commons rules.
Sir Malcolm, the Conservative MP for Kensington and Chelsea, had previously said he would not stand down as security committee chairman, unless his colleagues wanted him to.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, he said while he would remain a member of the committee, he would step down from the chairmanship.
He also said the allegations against him were "contemptible" saying he had previously planned to seek one further term as an MP.
"I have concluded that to end the uncertainty it would be preferable, instead, to step down at the end of this Parliament," he said.
"This is entirely my personal decision. I have had no such requests from my constituency association but I believe that it is the right and proper action to take."