The above four MPs are standing down from Westminster at the general election, but the three former Cabinet Ministers, Geoff Hoon, Patricia Hewitt and Stephen Byers were all caught on camera discussing 'job offers' from a bogus form set up for a sting operation by Channel 4.
A fourth Labour MP, Margaret Moran, is thought to have offered to 'influence legislation'.
Stephen Byers (£3,000 to £5,000 a day), the former Transport Secretary, admitted yesterday that he had exaggerated his political influence during his interview.
Geoff Hoon's solicitor said, on Friday, that his comments had been misrepresented and he denied over offering to give confidential information.
Aides to Gordon Brown say they are most concerned by Ms Moran's interview in the Dispatches programme in which she can be heard promising to help modify laws on immigration in order to boost the business interests of the fake company. One senior Labour source said that Ms Moran was 'not very well' and anything she said should 'not be taken seriously ... the idea that she has the ability to influence anything is laughable'.
The idea that any of these people is in a position to make laws for this country isn't laughable, it's downright tragic for all of us. Mind you, they were taught well by their ex-boss.
The Dispatches programme can be seen on Channel 4 tomorrow (Monday).
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22 comments:
When I first read this article, I was appalled; angered; aghast …
But then I thought – hold on a sec - these are politicians.
They are simply behaving as we have, rightly, come to expect. Self-centred, self-indulgent, self gratifying, selfish b*******
Time MP's accepting money like this should be charged with taking bribes as that is what is going on here.
The same goes for the people offering the bribes. If people/companies cannot put forward their concerns about legislation without resorting to paying out money or favours then they should not be doing it.
This entire lobbying scam should be illegal.
It will be an interesting programme tomorrow night John. Hope you'll be watching.
I would agree Billy. They should be done for fraud.
The job of a lobbiest is to subvert deomcracy by influencing unduly the people who make the decision.
The job of an MP is to represent all his/her constituents equally.
These b******s are being paid two sets of money (and expenses) to do both at the same time.
According to the Times, it has been pretty successful too, and the Telegraph has copied the story.
This is not likely to be untrue.
Another whitewash anyone?
Ms Moran's not very well? LOL Yeah, whatever. Why is she still in the Commons on a salary of £65,000, if we shouldn't be taking what she says seriously. That's damned good money for someone who, he implies is erm.... batty, and yet representing the people of Luton South.
Erm..... Lobbyist would have been a better spelling in the first line of my post.....
They should be hung, drawn and quartered. We're far too soft in this country, that's why we let Muslims walk all over us.
I just saw Mr Byers, ex-Minister of the Crown, presumably used to being referred to as "the Honourable Gentleman" filmed as he offered himself for sale to the highest bidder. He costs between £3000 and £5000 a day, it's a bit more if you want something unusual I suppose. Women soliciting on the street are arrested, whilst this thing walks free?
I'm actually so bloody angry I hardly know what to say. Decent honest people are losing their jobs, their peace of mind and their futures as this scum and his like still continue to shovel money into their pockets.
What will it take to make these people learn?
That's one thing that needs immediate attention in the Commons Richard.
None, or very few, MPs deserve the title of Honourable anything.
Well done for emphasising Ms Moran's continuing MPs salary tris. Now, if she worked in the lowely public sector she would have possibly been sacked by now or at least on reduced pay.
Can't upset some voters DL.
I written to Mr Bercow asking him to stop people like this from being called the Hon or Rt Hon. A copy of my letter is included as a post to my latest article on my blog. I didn't mention Moran's salary, as I doubt it has anything to do with him. They seem to ahve conditions you would die for, so I guess their full pay continues for up to 5 years if they are ill.
No, 1 week for every year's service like us "ordinary" people.
I wonder if I will get a response?
I wonder if you'll receive a reply Tris. Do let us know. Now I'm coming to read your post.
I'll post about it SR, if I get a reply. i've published the letter on the blog, it would be discourteous of me not to post Mr Bercow's reply if I get one....
If.....
Ok Tris, but we won't hold our breaths.
A one one wurd descriptive term for the use of, would suffice by way of comment.
. . . Knunts.
Mr Eugenides has good stuff on Hewitt:
http://mreugenides.blogspot.com/2010/01/patricia-hewitt-history-repeating.html
However, this ain't limited to Labour MuPpets:
http://efrafandays.wordpress.com/2010/03/21/tory-mp-threatens-blogger-with-libel-manky-scots-git-threatens-to-scupper-libel-reform/
Aye wisnaeme.
Yes Alec, I remember reading that about Hewitt some time ago. Also I know from NHS friends she was never shy at offering her services.
I shouldn't think it is Alec, but this bunch just aren't smart. Even I know, if someone places a handbag/case or whatever on a table when wanting to talk to me that they could be up to something.
Who can't! Tee hee.
p.s. You can read my new book. It's contained in your word verification rectangle.
Argh! Byers is a "Right Honourable" The man's A Privy Councillor! He should be stripped of at least the second part of his title - I think "Privy", in the lavatorial sense, describes him very well.
Richard, Guido has a petition to the Queen asking her to sack him. Please sign it.
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