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‘Lords for hire’ face a year’s suspension
Joe Murphy13.05.09
Two senior Labour peers face public censure tomorrow over the “Lords for hire” scandal, the Evening Standard has learned.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Truscott are likely to be suspended for offering to amend laws in return for money. Peers will vote later this month on calls to exclude the pair from Parliament for an unprecedented period of up to a year or more, to reflect the outrage felt on all sides over the scandal.
Two other peers caught up in allegations of cash for influence have not been found guilty. They were former Labour whip Lord Snape and ex-Defence minister Lord Moonie.
A report at 11am tomorrow will make history with its strong criticism and call for stern punishment of the pair, who were exposed by an undercover newspaper sting. Lord Taylor was taped claiming he had managed to change legislation to help a client, Experian, the credit check company. He told Sunday Times reporters posing as businessmen: “I will work within the rules, but the rules are meant to be bent sometimes.”
Asked how much it would cost to employ him, he replied: “You have got to whet my appetite to get me on board.” He claimed firms were happy to pay up to £100,000.
Lord Truscott, the former Energy minister, said he had already helped change the Energy Bill for a client selling “smart” electricity meters. He was said to have offered help for a fee of up to £72,000.
He told the newspaper: “I can work with you ... identifying people and ... meeting people, talking to people to facilitate the amendment and making sure the thing is granted.”
The pair are said to have argued that there is no law allowing them to be suspended from the House. However, they may be told to take leave of absence for a year or more.
All peers are expected to follow a code that says they must “take decisions solely in the public interest”. They are forbidden from accepting money to help change the law.
Both Lord Taylor and Lord Truscott have strongly denied wrongdoing. Neither responded to messages left today.
Reader views (9)
WHY HAVE THE POLICE NOT BEEN CALLED IN?
ONE LAW FOR LORDS AND MP's AND A DIFFERENT LAW FOR JOE PUBLIC.
WELCOME TO POLICE STATE UK.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster
If anyone embezzles from their employer they will be given a one year suspension?
These people are corrupt! They should be dismissed.
- Help!, Newcastle Australia
The individuals have brought the House of Lords into disrepute and should be permanently expelled and never allowed to hold any public service. It is disgraceful that they should ever be allowed to return.
- David Summers, London
It's time more MPs and Peers became independent of political parties and learned something of the great world outside Westminster by working as company directors, consultants etc.
As it is, nearly all labour MPs are on the take from the trade unions, and don't do much for it.
Let them earn (or receive ) fees
- Ian, London Eng
Absolutely nothing surprises me any more. How low can our politics go?
- Goggs, London
Capitalism is making Communism, look like a buch of nancy boys; you have to laugh at the clowns we call politicians these days.
As for lords and ladies; most are a lot puffed up snobs and money grabbers as well; did not Kings and Queens knight them to control the rabble called the people etc.
Two World Wars fighting for freedom; and all we have today is spies, cameras,DNA date bases, and total corruption.
- Mickyinlondon, london
J.W. Evans - The problem is that Peers are not accountable to anyone and they hold their positions for life. It is totally unacceptable not to hold these crooked two Labour Peers to account for their actions.
- Ian Gilbertson, Newcastle
The expression of outrage is to be a year's suspension from the club.???It is ludicrous that the Lords can find the two of them guilty of a crime..surely gaining pecuniary advantage by deceit...and there is no police involvement.The Court of Public Opinion would have expected rigourous examination,prosecution,heavy fines and permanent exclusion.
- Peter Doff, york UK
I fail to see that these two Peers are any worse than our MP's who bend the rules. Why make an example and not do the same with all the greedy MP's. It seems that Justice is easier to meter out two two people who have devoted their lives to public service. Shame on us. Tackle the heart of the problem at source and clean up the House of Commons.
- J. W. Evans, Blackpool UK
