Key Takeaways
- Two peers, Lord Richard Dannatt and Lord David Evans of Watford, are set to be suspended from the House of Lords for breaching rules, including providing parliamentary services in return for "payment or reward".
- Lord Dannatt faces a four-month suspension, while Lord Evans faces a five-month suspension.
- The suspensions come after an undercover operation by the Guardian newspaper, which led to separate investigations by the House of Lords’ standards watchdog.
- Both peers breached the code of conduct by failing to act in the public interest and seeking to profit from their membership of the House.
Introduction to the Scandal
The House of Lords has been embroiled in a scandal after two of its peers, Lord Richard Dannatt and Lord David Evans of Watford, were found to have breached the code of conduct. The breaches, which include providing parliamentary services in return for "payment or reward", have resulted in the peers facing suspensions of four and five months respectively. The scandal came to light after an undercover operation by the Guardian newspaper, which led to separate investigations by the House of Lords’ standards watchdog.
The Investigation into Lord Dannatt
The investigation into Lord Dannatt found that he had breached the code of conduct by corresponding with ministers and government officials about three companies in which he had a financial interest. The commissioner found that Lord Dannatt had demonstrated "a clear willingness to undertake activity that would have amounted to paid parliamentary services" and had "demonstrated insufficient regard for the need to act solely in the public interest in the course of his parliamentary activities". Lord Dannatt was filmed telling undercover reporters that he could make introductions to people in government and could "make a point of getting to know" the best-placed ministers. Although the commissioner concluded that no lobbying had taken place and no payment had been received, Lord Dannatt’s actions were found to be in breach of the code of conduct.
The Investigation into Lord Evans
The investigation into Lord Evans found that he had broken the rules in four ways, including by sponsoring events in Parliament for a company that was owned by his son, and in which he held one-third of the shares. The commissioner also found that Lord Evans had told undercover reporters that he could introduce them to MPs, and had asked members of the House of Lords if they would speak at the events. Tickets to the events were advertised for sale at a price greater than the actual cost per head, contravening House of Lords rules on holding events. The commissioner concluded that, taking into account the "number and seriousness of the breaches", a lengthy suspension from the Lords would be appropriate.
Reactions to the Findings
Both Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans referred themselves to the commissioner after the Guardian reported comments they had made to the newspaper’s undercover reporters. In a statement, Lord Dannatt accepted that three breaches of the code of conduct had been found by the commissioner, and added that he "deeply" regretted the findings. He said that the "honourable course of action was not to waste the Conduct Committee’s time by appealing against the findings but to accept the appropriate sanction". Lord Dannatt also acknowledged that he had declared all relevant interests, as well as registering them with the Registrar of Lords’ Interests, but accepted that his actions had been "insufficient" and that "ignorance" was no defence for any breach of the code of conduct.
Consequences of the Breaches
The suspensions of Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans will come into force once approved by the House of Lords. The commissioner’s report highlighted the importance of peers acting in the public interest and not seeking to profit from their membership of the House. The report also noted that the peers’ breaches of the code of conduct had undermined the integrity of the House of Lords and had damaged the reputation of the institution. The suspensions are a reminder that peers are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and that breaches of the code of conduct will be taken seriously.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the scandal surrounding Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans is a reminder of the importance of peers acting in the public interest and not seeking to profit from their membership of the House. The suspensions of the two peers are a reminder that breaches of the code of conduct will be taken seriously and that the House of Lords will take action to uphold the integrity of the institution. The incident highlights the need for peers to be aware of the code of conduct and to ensure that they are acting in accordance with its provisions. Ultimately, the scandal serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public life, and the need for those in positions of power to act with integrity and honesty.