Anti-sleaze campaigners call for House of Commons to stop handing parliamentary passes
Anti-sleaze campaigners call for House of Commons to stop handing parliamentary passes to former MPs
House of Commons under pressure to stop parliamentary passesConcerns passes will be used for lobbying after Owen Paterson row Mr Paterson will still be entitled to a pass even though no longer an MP
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The House of Commons is facing mounting pressure to stop handing parliamentary passes to former MPs amid concerns they could be used for lobbying.
Last night anti-sleaze campaigners warned that allowing access to ex-parliamentarians ‘needlessly places temptation in their way’.
The row comes after the Daily Mail revealed yesterday that disgraced Owen Paterson will be entitled to a pass so he could continue roaming the corridors of power even though he is no longer an MP.
The row comes after the Daily Mail revealed yesterday that disgraced Owen Paterson (pictured) will be entitled to a pass so he could continue roaming the corridors of power even though he is no longer an MP (file photo)
Some 283 former MPs have passes, giving them continued entry, including to restaurants and bars, without having to register their financial interests although Commons rules do ban lobbying.
Passholders include former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon, who is deputy chairman of an oil firm, and Sir Nick Clegg, ex-deputy prime minister who is head of global affairs at Facebook.
Duncan Hames, director of policy for campaign group Transparency International UK, said: ‘Exclusive passes for ex-MPs enable them to offer privileged access to their new employers and needlessly places temptation in their way.
‘There is no need for former MPs to still have special access more than a few months after they cease to hold office.’
Passholders include former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon (pictured), who is deputy chairman of an oil firm, and Sir Nick Clegg, ex-deputy prime minister who is head of global affairs at Facebook
Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, warned there was no way to know whether ex-MPs were abiding by the requirement not to use the passes for lobbying.
He said: ‘I am totally opposed to these passes. I really believe that once you have left Parliament – whether as a minister or an MP – that should be that and you not have any special privileges of access because it does encourage lobbying.
‘It is very difficult to monitor what someone who comes into Parliament is saying over a meal or a drink and whether they are lobbying.
‘That is why I think we should not give Commons passes to people who have left the House of Commons.’
The House of Commons said ex-MPs who are given the passes are forbidden from using them in connection with lobbying.
A spokesman said: ‘Former Members of Parliament who have served more than two Parliamentary terms – or six years, whichever is longer – may apply for a pass known as a Former Members’ Pass. As with all pass applications, eligibility is rigorously scrutinised.’
A close friend of Mr Paterson’s has insisted that he does not plan to apply for a Commons pass.
Sir Alistair Graham, (pictured) former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, warned there was no way to know whether ex-MPs were abiding by the requirement not to use the passes for lobbying
