The House of Lords has been rocked by a lobbying scandal, resulting in the suspension of two prominent peers. Lord Richard Dannatt, the former head of the British army, and Lord David Evans of Watford, a Labour peer, have been sanctioned by a parliamentary watchdog for serious breaches of lobbying rules.
Undercover Investigation Reveals Misconduct
The allegations stem from an undercover investigation by the Guardian, which secretly filmed both peers. Lord Dannatt has been suspended for four months after the investigation found he offered to secure meetings with ministers for a potential commercial client seeking to lobby the government.
In the footage, he told reporters posing as consultants that he could make introductions to ministers and would deliberately work to build a relationship with the most appropriate politician. Following the initial exposure, further evidence emerged of three additional cases where Lord Dannatt provided parliamentary services for payment, including corresponding with ministers and attending meetings with a minister or senior official.
Labour Peer Faces Stiffer Penalty
In a separate case, Lord Evans faces a five-month suspension. He was recorded offering access to ministers during discussions about a commercial deal worth tens of thousands of pounds. The peer also offered to introduce the undercover reporters, who were posing as property developers, to fellow parliamentarians.
The Lords' conduct committee ruled that, although no money was ultimately exchanged, Lord Evans demonstrated a "clear willingness to undertake activity that would have amounted to paid parliamentary services". This was deemed a breach of the fundamental requirement that members of the House of Lords must always act on their personal honour.
Consequences and Fallout
Neither peer challenged the findings or the punishments recommended by the conduct committee. The suspensions represent a significant reprimand within the upper chamber and highlight ongoing concerns about standards in public life.
This incident underscores the strict rules governing parliamentary conduct and the serious consequences for those who break them. The case is likely to fuel further debate about transparency and ethics within the UK's political institutions.
