NEW POWERS to discipline members of the House of Lords found in breach of the rules appeared inevitable last night as pressure continued for a police inquiry into “cash for influence” allegations against four Labour peers.
The Leader of the Lords, Baroness Royall, confirmed she had asked the chairman of the Privileges Committee to review the Lords’ code of conduct and the question of sanctions – possibly to include new powers of suspension or even expulsion – in the aftermath of the claim by the Sunday Times that it had identified four Labour peers prepared to accept fees of up to £120,000 a year to amend laws in the Lords on behalf of business clients.
Two of the peers named by the newspaper intervened during yesterday’s exchanges in the Lords to apologise “if” they had done anything to bring the House “into disrepute”. Former MP Lord (Peter) Snape said: “As one of the people involved in this incident may I first of all apologise for bringing this House, if I have done so, into disrepute. But may I say that these are allegations in a Sunday newspaper and may I appeal to noble Lords in all parts of the House to allow me the opportunity to refute these allegations before your Lordships’ House and elsewhere.”
Lord Taylor of Blackburn told peers: “If I have done anything that has brought this House into disrepute I most humbly apologise.” But, he added: “I feel within my own conscience I followed the rules and the directions that have been given in this House over the 31 years I have been a member.”
The Sunday Times, meanwhile, released a recording of the conversation its undercover reporters had with Lord Taylor on its website. Lord Taylor allegedly told the reporters posing as lobbyists on behalf of a foreign client: “I will work within the rules, but the rules are meant to be bent sometimes.” At a meeting in a peers’ guest room on the last day before the Christmas recess, Lord Taylor also allegedly said: “There’s more business done in here that what’s done in most government offices, or most offices.”
Former MEP and energy minister Lord Truscott reportedly admitted having discussions with a reporter, but insisted “to suggest I would offer to put down amendments for money is a lie.” A fourth peer, Lord Moonie, acknowledged discussion about a possible fee of £30,000 while saying he had done nothing outside the rules.
In the Lords chamber, Baroness Royall agreed with Conservative leader Lord Strathclyde that the rules allowed “no grey areas” in terms of paid advocacy. Lord Strathclyde said the allegations represented “a shocking and depressing moment” for the Lords, and, if true, would have “shamed” the House. Baroness Royall observed that the “shocking” allegations remained at this point just “allegations”, which she had already referred to a Lords committee whose own “rigorous” inquiry had already begun.