Menu
Thu, 10 July 2025
Search

Follow us:

Articles tagged with: Standards Committee
Shaping a standards system that is clear and accessible to all
Parliament
By Alberto Costa MP
Shaping a standards system that is clear and accessible to all
The Committee on Standards is one component within a complex system of standards.
We Shouldn't Expect MPs To Be “Saints”, Says Standards Chair
Technology
We Shouldn't Expect MPs To Be “Saints”, Says Standards Chair
People who stand to be MPs should not be expected to be “saints”, the recently-elected Standards Committee chair has said, adding that punishments for minor parliamentary rules breaches are too “severe”.
Tories At Risk Of By-Election With MP Facing Commons Ban Over Lobbying
Political parties
Tories At Risk Of By-Election With MP Facing Commons Ban Over Lobbying
The committee on standards has recommended a 35 day parliamentary suspension for Blackpool South MP Scott Benton following an "extremely serious" breach of lobbying rules, putting the Tories at risk of another by-election.
Engaging, thoughtful and funny: Kathryn Stone reviews 'Code of Conduct'
Books & culture
By Kathryn Stone
Engaging, thoughtful and funny: Kathryn Stone reviews 'Code of Conduct'
A powerful examination of parliamentary conduct and the eroding of standards, Chris Bryant’s book begins on 3 November 2021 – a day I will always remember
Fifth By-Election Looms With Chris Pincher Facing Eight Week Suspension Over 'Shocking' Misconduct
Political parties
Fifth By-Election Looms With Chris Pincher Facing Eight Week Suspension Over "Shocking" Misconduct
The parliamentary standards watchdog has recommended that former government whip Chris Pincher should be suspended from parliament for eight weeks following an investigation into his conduct, likely triggering another by-election.
Tory MP Steve Brine Under Investigation By Standards Watchdog For Lobbying
Parliament
Tory MP Steve Brine Under Investigation By Standards Watchdog For Lobbying
Chair of the health select committee Steve Brine is being investigated by parliament's commissioner for standards for potential breaches of lobbying rules.
The Chris Bryant interview: 'It is a bizarre irony that I am chair of the Committee on Standards'
Political parties
By Tali Fraser
The Chris Bryant interview: "It is a bizarre irony that I am chair of the Committee on Standards"
Chris Bryant has been through a few political scrapes, so recognises the irony that he is now chair of the Standards Committee. He tells Tali Fraser about the recent furore in the division lobbies, trying to hold his tongue and surviving cancer. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen Set To Be Suspended From Parliament For Five Days Over Paid Lobbying
Political parties
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen Set To Be Suspended From Parliament For Five Days Over Paid Lobbying
The Commons standards committee has recommended that Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen be suspended for five sitting days over his “careless and cavalier attitude" towards rules on lobbying.
MPs Won't Have A Limit On Second Job Earnings Or Hours After Failure To Find Cross-Party Consensus
Political parties
MPs Won't Have A Limit On Second Job Earnings Or Hours After Failure To Find Cross-Party Consensus
A new code of conduct for MPs will clamp down on paid consultancy roles but will not place a time limit on second jobs, or an upper limit on outside earnings.
Labour MP Liam Byrne Faces Two Day Commons Suspension For Bullying
Political parties
Labour MP Liam Byrne Faces Two Day Commons Suspension For Bullying
The former cabinet minister Liam Byrne has been found by an independent panel to have bullied a former member of his constituency staff.
MPs have a golden opportunity to show leadership over standards – they should take it
Parliament
By Dr Arun Midha
MPs have a golden opportunity to show leadership over standards – they should take it
I will shortly conclude my six-year term as a lay member of the House of Commons Committee on Standards.
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski Could Be Suspended From Commons After “Insincere” Bullying Apology
Political parties
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski Could Be Suspended From Commons After “Insincere” Bullying Apology
A Conservative MP will be suspended from the Commons for a day after he was found to have undermined his own apology for bullying Parliamentary staff.
How MPs Could Be Hit By Proposed Changes To Parliament’s Code Of Conduct
Political parties
How MPs Could Be Hit By Proposed Changes To Parliament’s Code Of Conduct
The standards committee has recommended a host of changes to the rules which govern MPs' conduct, including second jobs, after a major row over sleaze.
Boris Johnson Would Be Forced To Declare Cost Of Spain Holiday Under New MP Rules
Political parties
Boris Johnson Would Be Forced To Declare Cost Of Spain Holiday Under New MP Rules
New rules recommended by the Commons standards committee on how MPs declare gifts would force Boris Johnson to reveal how much his free holiday to a luxury Spanish villa would have cost the minister who owns it.
MPs' Second Jobs Are Still Far From Banned And Some Fear Reforms Will Be 'Kicked Into The Long Grass'
Political parties
MPs' Second Jobs Are Still Far From Banned And Some Fear Reforms Will Be "Kicked Into The Long Grass"
The government has claimed a vote on standards reform will update Parliament’s code of conduct to outlaw controversial second jobs for MPs, but the man in charge of drafting the rules has reminded them that is not in fact the case.
Boris Johnson cannot be trusted to keep corruption out of politics
Parliament
By Afzal Khan MP
Boris Johnson cannot be trusted to keep corruption out of politics
Seeing a Conservative government knee deep in scandal is nothing new. It feels like we are re-living the 1990s with Tory corruption dominating the headlines, Tory MPs protecting their mates, and an absence of an independent and rigorous standards process.
Boris Johnson Gets “Muted” Reception At 1922 Committee But Swerves Rebellion Over Second Jobs Proposals
Political parties
Boris Johnson Gets “Muted” Reception At 1922 Committee But Swerves Rebellion Over Second Jobs Proposals
Boris Johnson sought to face off growing Tory disquiet over the government’s handling of the second jobs row at the 1922 Committee by admitting to MPs he’d “crashed the car” over the Paterson affair.
MPs Vote To Reverse Conservative Plans To Reform Parliament's Standards Committee
Political parties
MPs Vote To Reverse Conservative Plans To Reform Parliament's Standards Committee
MPs have voted to rescind Conservative plans to reform parliament's watchdog and delay approving a report on the former parliamentarian Owen Paterson, who was found guilty of breaching lobbying rules.
Boris Johnson Accused Of “Unhelpful” Application Of Gift Rules To His Advantage Over Spanish Holiday
Political parties
Boris Johnson Accused Of “Unhelpful” Application Of Gift Rules To His Advantage Over Spanish Holiday
The Prime Minister has been accused of an “unhelpful” application of the rules on gifts to avoid scrutiny of his holiday to Spain and the Downing Street flat redecoration, by declaring them under a system that he is in charge of.
Government Plans To 'Unpick' Their Vote To Overhaul The Standards Committee Next Week
Political parties
Government Plans To "Unpick" Their Vote To Overhaul The Standards Committee Next Week
MPs are set to get a vote next week on a motion that will overturn last week's controversial amendment on Standards, which led to furious backlash on both sides of the House of Commons.
Minister Expresses 'Regret' Over Botched Attempt To Tear Up Standards Rules After Lobbying Scandal
Political parties
Minister Expresses "Regret" Over Botched Attempt To Tear Up Standards Rules After Lobbying Scandal
Cabinet office minister Stephen Barclay has apologised on behalf of the government for last week's chaotic attempt at standards reform, during an emergency Commons sleaze debate prompted by a U-turn on the matter.
Boris Johnson Refuses To Apologise For His Handling Of The Paterson Lobbying Scandal
Political parties
Boris Johnson Refuses To Apologise For His Handling Of The Paterson Lobbying Scandal
Boris Johnson has turned down an opportunity to apologise for his party’s botched attempt to reform parliament’s standards watchdog.
The standards system for MPs is independent and effective: but it can still be improved
Political parties
By Arun Midha
The standards system for MPs is independent and effective: but it can still be improved
At the heart of the Owen Paterson affair was a dispute over independence. Should MPs’ conduct as members of a sovereign legislature be judged only by other MPs as well as by their electorates, or should their actions be subject also to independent scrutiny?
Standards Committee Considers Tightening Sanction Appeals Process After Owen Paterson Lobbying Row
Political parties
Standards Committee Considers Tightening Sanction Appeals Process After Owen Paterson Lobbying Row
A lay member of the Standards Committee has defended the "thorough and fair" system but suggests existing appeals routes could be changed.