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Members rush to declare commercial interests
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor30.01.09
MEMBERS of the House of Lords have scrambled to declare paid and unpaid links to firms in the wake of the "peers for hire" affair.
This week, peers made 37 amendments to the Lords register of interests - more than twice the normal rate. Several declared paid directorships, regular jobs and sponsored overseas visits months later than they should have done under their own code of conduct.
A fresh version of the list, the second update this week, was posted on the Lords website last night. Maurice Frankel, director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, said: "It's only the threat of exposure and the allegations in the last week that have pushed peers to take the register seriously."
One of the changes came from Lord Taylor of Blackburn, who revealed he had lost his consultancy with the credit check company for which he boasted he had altered legislation. Experian said it was "surprised" by the Labour peer's remarks to undercover reporters over his role and had "agreed that Lord Taylor will retire with immediate effect".
Reader views (8)
Ever since the discredited Blair overturned centuries of history with his 'Cool Britannia modernisation' nonsense, the House of Lords has become akin to a 'Whitehall farce'. It is now simply the recipient of mainly third rate non-entities who happen to be chummy with the prime minister of the day.
It was far better when, with a few exceptions, God or Fate chose the occupants.
- David Davies, London, Great Britain
@ Sue
They're all fiddling while England burns!
- Gwaddilove, london,ENGLAND
Democracy at work in Britain, dont make me laugh, it doesnt exist.
- Kuldip, London, UK
The House of Lords currently quite happily accommodates both a convicted arsonist, Lord Watson, and that bumptious perjurer, Lord Archer.
Once you manage to get your snout in that particular Westminster trough, you're in it for life.
- Frank, Bristol UK
But they are still NOT required to declare if they are members of the Freemasons.That would explain a lot.
- Frank, Bristol UK
The fear of exposure has clearly forced a few more to "come clean". The house of lords should be abolished and never again must disgraced/dishonest MP's be offered peerages.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
They should be (and, indeed, are) paid competitive salaries to the private sector, to encourage the most experienced people in the land into politics. Once in on the game, however, they should be forced to renounce all other income whilst in public office.
Yet again: no honour in representing your fellow citizens and their interests at the highest level - just unbridled personal greed.
- Roz, Chamonix, France - if it really matters!
All the pigs with their snouts in the trough. Is there anyone at all whose honest in the HoC or HoL - I doubt it!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
