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Lords face suspension in sanction not used since 1642
14 May 2009
Two Labour peers today faced the shame of being the first members of the Lords to be suspended since the English Civil War.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Truscott were found to have breached the Lords code of conduct after an inquiry into claims that they were willing to accept payments to influence new laws.
The Lords committee for privileges recommended they be suspended for the rest of the parliamentary session and peers are expected to vote to endorse such a sanction next week. The disgraced peers are set to be the first to be handed such a punishment since Lord Savile was suspended for supporting Charles I against Parliament in 1642.
The suspension for about six months is the maximum penalty available to the committee and will cost the two peers access to tax-free allowances worth up to £335 a day.
Two other Labour peers — Lord Moonie and Lord Snape — were cleared of breaching the code but were invited to apologise for showing an “inappropriate attitude” in their talks with undercover reporters.
The Sunday Times approached several peers posing as lobbyists trying to amend legislation. Lord Truscott reportedly discussed a fee of up to £72,000 to work “behind the scenes” while Lord Taylor offered to campaign to persuade ministers for a one-year retainer of £120,000.
Reader views (17)
Well,guess this sums up British politics.All on the take,all above the law,no honesty,no integrity,no value to society.All need to be removed from political lives,including Brown and Cameron,as both think it is ok for those that abused the system the least should keep their jobs.
- David, london, 15/05/2009 08:17
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Six months suspension is totally unacceptable. These most corrupt individuals must be sacked. Allowing them to return in six months time means they will carry on accepting cash for their dubious services. The enquiry into their wrongdoings, and the "punishment" meted out, proves without doubt that all such internal enquiries are a total whitewash.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 15/05/2009 08:07
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What a disgrace they should be stripped of their titles, immediately. They bring shame on this country.
- Mike, Esher, Surrey, 14/05/2009 22:35
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This is an appalling case: corrupt 'Lords' The pair are to be welcomed back into the House after six months having served their "punishment"!! My God. can this country sink any further ?
- Walker, Wiltshire UK, 14/05/2009 20:50
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Suspension, why only suspension? This is blatant corruption, its as plain and simple as that. Why are the police not investigating these cretins and, if there is sufficient evidence, prosecuting them. All suspension does is deprive them of their expenses for a few months - tlking of expenses, has anyone checked this dishonest pair's expense claims?
- Neil45, Gloucestershire, England., 14/05/2009 20:34
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Oh dear, the bloke on the right seems to have had his face melt
- Keith Gutsu, Richmond, 14/05/2009 18:56
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Jail both of them after stripping them of their titles. They are scum and deserve to be treated as such. Lets hope many more will be exposed for what they are.
- Mike, London England, 14/05/2009 18:52
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I am disgusted that the people who sit in both houses in this country, are allowed to get away fleecing the country and taking bribes while we the joe public are losing are jobs and homes, i hate them all, they are acting like elected mafia, and as for the lords they are not even elected and yet they sit in the highest court in the land, changing and passing laws,and they call this democracy
- John, maidenhead, 14/05/2009 18:42
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So this is what our ruling classes have come to! Cheap. And gullible.
- Philipc, Oxford, UK, 14/05/2009 18:10
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i thought they were suppose to be honourable! and beyond
reproach,therefore they should be stripped of there knighthood.and then we can trust the house again.
Jim
- Henry James Broad, rustington, 14/05/2009 18:03
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If they ever return to their seats, who can ever again have faith in this shamed house of 'Lords'?
- Chris S, Kingsbridge, Devon, 14/05/2009 17:52
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Surely, if these two lords are found to be guilty of the charge they should be booted out, defrocked, or whatever they call demotion from the lords, as soon as possible. 6 months suspension is nothing but window dressing.
- Norcot, Oakham UK, 14/05/2009 17:42
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When this first came to light Baronness Royall,Labour Leader of the House,promised a thorough investigation and real punishments.She has shown what discipline & honourable behaviour means by this piddling punishment.Still she was promoted to the Lords after a time as an MEP and Kinnocks tea lady..so hardly qualified is she?
- Peter Doff, paris france, 14/05/2009 16:15
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Suspended !!!???!!! These people where offering to change laws in return for cash !!????!!!! At the very least they should be thrown out for ever and their peerage removed in fact it should be a criminal offence. It makes "cash for questions" trivial.
- Jeremy E, Home Counties, 14/05/2009 15:15
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If I attempted to change the rules of doing business with a customer that are laid down by my employer, I would be sacked. Yet again, the occupants of both Houses of SW1 prove that they are totally out of touch with the real world.
MPs and Lords constantly bang on about how they run important departments with thousands of staff and billions in budget, and should therefore be treated (and paid) along the same lines as a company director.
Ok, that's fine (if you allow them their fancy), but you should also expect to abide by similar rules of conduct and discipline, which means the sack when you try and break the rules.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 14/05/2009 15:15
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Suspended? Suspended? Suspendent?
They should be ARRESTED, PHOTOGRAPHED, FINGERPRINTED, DNA'd, CHARGED AND PUT IN PRISON FOR 10 YEARS.
JUST LIKE JOE PUBLIC WOULD BE.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 14/05/2009 15:15
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That's it! Suspension! Am I missing something here? Shame on them all.
- Gary, London, 14/05/2009 15:15
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