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Police discuss possibility of 'Lords for hire' inquiry
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent29 Jan 2009
THE possibility that there would be a police inquiry into the "Lords for hire" scandal was dramatically opened today.
Senior police officers have met the Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Royall, to discuss the chances of launching an investigation.
New Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said detectives were "reviewing the material" involved to decide whether or not to have a full-blown inquiry.
The review is being carried out by investigators from Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Directorate, the same unit that was involved in the "cash for honours" investigation. Any inquiry into the Lord's affair would also be overseen by Assistant Commissioner John Yates - the officer who led the honours inquiry.
Lord Truscott, Lord Moonie, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape are accused of entering into negotiations to take cash for amending legislation.
The alleged deals, involving fees of up to £120,000, were discussed with Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for a foreign firm.
All four lords strenuously deny any wrongdoing.
Sir Paul told the Metropolitan Police Authority that the force had received a letter from Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne asking police to launch an inquiry. Sir Paul said: "We are considering that request and we will be reviewing the relevant material to assist a decision on whether or not it will be appropriate to launch an investigation which we have not done at this stage."
Police are gathering material from the Sunday Times including tapes of the lords involved speaking to undercover reporters.
Baroness Royall, in a statement to peers, said that a criminal investigation was now a real possibility.
She said: "On Monday, the Metropolitan Police Service received a request to consider investigating whether an offence had been committed by certain members of this House.
"The police have considered this request and they have now decided to review the relevant material to assist them in deciding whether it would be appropriate to carry out an investigation."
She confirmed she had met detectives to discuss the case but stressed that a formal investigation had not, at this stage, been ruled in or out.
Lady Royall added: "My Lords, I should stress that the police are not investigating this matter at this stage. They are reviewing this material in relation to the allegations to decide whether such an investigation would be appropriate."
Until today, MPs thought the chances of a police inquiry were very low unless the Met was asked to step in by a senior independent body, such as the independent public body the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
The force was known to be wary of launching an investigation purely on the basis of a complaint from a rival politician.
Detectives probed the "cash for honours" affair after a letter from SNP MP Angus MacNeil but later felt they lacked heavyweight political backing.
Reader views (9)
The guilty ones must be stripped of their titles. If I stole from my employer I would be instantly dismissed - why should they be treated differently. Archer should have been stripped of his title when he was founhd guilty of perjury and slimy Mandelson should never have been given one. If the metropolitan police are unwilling/unable to conduct a full criminal enquiry then let's have a full public enquiry.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 30/01/2009 09:19
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How many got prosecuted in the cash for honor scandals? As far as I remember 1 outsider who open his mouth.
History repeat itself. Time for Fawkes' day. All a bunch of cronies with filled pockets and heavy conscience. Ooops, sorry conscience is optional. No remorse.
- Lauren, London Uk, 29/01/2009 23:56
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'Discuss the possibility'!
And I thought Stephenson said that the days of tick box policing was over.
Come on man, take Yatesy's muzzle off, sharpen up his teeth with a file, then set him loose on the duplicitous
'ermine vermin'!
- Dave, cumbria, 29/01/2009 18:35
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How about "I'm a Lord, get me out of here"? Or a special version of "Big Brother"? They could get paid hansomly for either I imagine.
- Sandy, Ealing, UK, 29/01/2009 18:24
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Nothing is illegal in our treasured isle if it makes a lot of dosh - being an MP hiding expenses, being a banker getting tax-payer money and still taking a bonus (not to mention the creative accounts), being a new lord on the make, you name it. All above the law, none of them will get more than a smacked wrist. But Joe Public? Well, he'd get the whole lot thrown at him if he tried to act like an MP or a Lord - our representatives from Planet Greed - or the bankers - the usurers of the universe. Time for them all to get the chop. Take to the streets, Joe, like the French! It's worth being thrown in the slammer, asking for a fairer Britain. Isn't it?
- John Problem, Hackney Wick, London, UK, 29/01/2009 17:42
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Maybe the Lords SHOULD be for hire: they've got the right idea, just the wrong market-positioning. Maybe they could be hired out to add gravitas to weddings, or give tours to foreign tourists, or form 'Lordy-grams' where they turn up and sing on your birthday. The Germans have nude men you can hire to be a coffee table or to decorate your Christmas-tree: this could easily be adapted to the 'Lord' theme.
At least then they'd be working!
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 29/01/2009 16:23
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Lady Royall has already raised the red herring of entrapment.She ,as a loyal Labourite,has no intention of seeing this thro' to a prosecution and has said there is no possible punishment other than "name & shame".If she were serious she would have suspended the peers from the Labour Party & referred the matter to the police.All 4 will get away withit and the diversionary tactics of examining the rules will be pursued.
- P.Doff, filey uk, 29/01/2009 16:20
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Put their smug mugs on crimewatch to embarass them further and withdraw their titles as Lords are supposed to be noble not greedy little lying piggies..and then drop the investigation and save the public money, the Police won't win this one.....(then let them appeal the withdrawel of their titles on TV as an entertainment programme for the taxpayers)
- Lord La Of La La Land, London, 29/01/2009 15:44
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Off with their heads - ask questions later!!!!
- Pam, North Wales, 29/01/2009 15:07
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