The House of Lords is set to suspend two of its members, Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans, following a damaging cash for access scandal uncovered by an undercover newspaper investigation. The peers were found to have breached strict parliamentary rules by offering services in return for payment or reward.
The Findings and Sanctions
The Lords Conduct Committee has upheld the findings of the independent Commissioner for Standards, recommending a five-month suspension for Lord Evans of Watford and a four-month suspension for Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army. Neither peer appealed against the decision, and the sanctions will be enforced once approved by the House of Commons.
The investigation revealed that crossbench peer Lord Dannatt demonstrated a clear willingness to undertake activity that would have amounted to paid parliamentary services during conversations with undercover journalists from the Guardian. Although no money changed hands in that specific instance, the probe uncovered that he had already provided parliamentary services for payment in three other separate cases.
Details of the Breaches
Lord Dannatt's rule-breaking involved corresponding with ministers and officials on behalf of three companies in which he held a financial interest: UK Mitrogen, Teledyne UK, and Blue International Holdings. In two of these cases, he also attended meetings with a minister or a senior official. These activities occurred over a two-year period.
Meanwhile, Labour peer Lord Evans, a publisher and entrepreneur, was implicated for his actions concerning Affinity, a company owned by his son, in which Lord Evans holds a one-third share. During meetings with undercover reporters posing as potential clients, he offered to introduce them to MPs. The Commissioner for Standards concluded that Lord Evans failed to act on his personal honour due to his financial stake in the company.
Furthermore, Lord Evans sponsored events in the House of Lords on behalf of Affinity and approached other peers to speak at these events. The events were used to promote the company, and tickets were sold above cost price, constituting a further breach of the House's events rules. The commissioner stated that Lord Evans failed to ensure the events complied with parliamentary regulations.
Reaction and Aftermath
In a statement, Lord Dannatt expressed deep regret, stating, I deeply regret the commissioner's findings regarding my personal honour. He accepted that ignorance of the rules was no defence and acknowledged that acting in what he believed was the national interest did not excuse his breaches of the code.
The Conduct Committee noted it had given due weight to Lord Dannatt's expressions of remorse. However, it highlighted the sheer number of breaches—four separate findings—as a key aggravating factor justifying a significant sanction. The committee emphasised the damage such cases inflict on the reputation of the House of Lords.
This scandal shines a light on the standards expected of members of the upper chamber and the consequences of failing to meet them.
