Expel peers guilty of sleaze – Clegg
Lib Dem leader joins growing clamour for reform of Lords over ‘lining their pockets’ claims
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Pressure for a radical reform of House of Lords rules so peers guilty of sleaze can be expelled rose last night.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg became the latest party leader to demand action over what has become known as “Erminegate” following cash-for-influence allegations.
Four Labour lords remain under investigation following allegations made in a Sunday newspaper.
Peers from the north joined in demands for change, horrified at allegations that a few have been lining their pockets with cash for “consultancy services” despite a clear rule that bans “paid advocacy”.
Former Aberdeen North Labour MP Bob Hughes, now Lord Hughes of Woodside, said: “It is absolutely right there should be a thorough and vigorous investigation and action taken against anyone shown to have broken the rules and if there are loopholes they must be closed down PDQ.”
Lord Hughes, whose declared interests relate to his campaigns against apartheid in South Africa, added: “Anyone who approached me would have been told to ‘go forth and multiply’.
“The tragedy of this is we are all going to be tarred with the same brush. I am angry and saddened.”
Lord Sewell, the former Labour Scottish minister who steered the devolution legislation through the Lords and who is also senior vice-principal of Aberdeen University, called for “a thorough revision of the whole business of the remuneration of peers, the expenses system, the declaring of interests and a proper disciplinary system with real sanctions”.
He said: “This is bound to reflect badly. It is quite understandable if the public take a pretty dim view of the peerage.”
The Earl or Montrose said he felt “highly disappointed and let down” by allegations “which show a complete lack of understanding as to how this place should work”.
He said every effort had been made to ensure people state their interests in a chamber in which there are many with perfectly proper outside interests. He added: “It may be necessary that people should be required ‘to take leave of absence’ if we need a sanction to stop people playing that sort of game. It is probably needed.”
The Countess of Mar, who has campaigned for service people suffering from Gulf War Syndrome, said she had suspected rules were being breached but had no evidence.
She said she believe it was a privilege to be in the Lords which should not be abused, adding: “If anyone does something like this they should have their seat taken away.”
Lords Leader Baroness Royall pledged a full review of anti-sleaze laws and of the punishments available yesterday as she launched formal inquiries into the allegations.
Lord Truscott, Lord Moonie, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape are accused of entering into negotiations, involving fees of up to £120,000, with Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for a foreign firm.
All four strenuously deny any wrongdoing but face the possibility of a police investigation after the Liberal Democrats filed a complaint with Scotland Yard.
They will give evidence to the House of Lords interests sub-committee privately this week.
Earlier yesterday Baroness Royall thanked Lords staff who “feel demoralised” by the allegations surrounding the four.
She said the sub-committee on interests had already started investigating and that the chairman of the privileges committee, Lord Brabazon of Tara, was carrying out a wider review of punishments, raising suggestions peers caught breaking rules could face expulsion or suspension.
Former Deputy First Minister Lord Wallace of Tankerness, said: “The sooner we get rid of unelected Lords the better.”
The former Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP said he “would be surprised” if there were more than one or two peers breaking the rules.
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