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22/03/2010
Watchdog To Probe Byers
A Westminster watchdog has been drafted in to assess the conduct of a former Cabinet minister, who reportedly described himself as a "cab for hire".
Stephen Byers asked Parliamentary authorities to investigate his behaviour following revelations in yesterday's Sunday Times.
The paper secretly recorded Mr Byers, a former secretary for trade and transport, calling himself a £5,000-a-day "cab for hire" to who he believed were lobbyists.
The MP for North Tyneside said he hoped standards chief John Lyon would find he had "complied with MPs' code of conduct" and "fully disclosed" his outside interests.
Conservatives have called on the government to open a separate investigation.
Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt, both former Labour minister, where also filmed allegedly touting their expertise. All three deny any wrongdoing.
A statement released by Mr Byers read: "I have this morning referred myself to the standards commissioner, John Lyon, and asked him to investigate my actions.
"I am confident that he will confirm that I have complied with the MPs' code of conduct and have fully disclosed my outside interests."
Reporters working for The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme interviewed Mr Byers undercover, posing as lobbyists.
During the filming Mr Byers told the reporters he had exercised some influence over Transport Secretary Lord Adonis's decision not to renew a rail franchise contract.
Mr Byers also claimed he had pressed Business Secretary Lord Mandelson not to proceed with detailed food labelling regulations.
Tory leader David Cameron urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch a probe into the revelations.
He has written to head of the Cabinet Office Sir Gus O'Donnell raising concerns over the matter.
Ex health secretary Ms Hewitt denied the suggestion she had secured a government advisory position for a paying client.
She has already announced her intentions not seek reelection to the Commons.
Former defence secretary Geoff Hoon denied the suggestion he had told who he thought was a "a reputable American company" that it was possible for him to obtain confidential government documents.
Labour said it will push forward with a lobbying interests lists, which will publicly detail meetings MPs have held with lobbyists.
Such a move was mooted by the Commons public administration committee last year, but not pursued.
(PR/GK)
Stephen Byers asked Parliamentary authorities to investigate his behaviour following revelations in yesterday's Sunday Times.
The paper secretly recorded Mr Byers, a former secretary for trade and transport, calling himself a £5,000-a-day "cab for hire" to who he believed were lobbyists.
The MP for North Tyneside said he hoped standards chief John Lyon would find he had "complied with MPs' code of conduct" and "fully disclosed" his outside interests.
Conservatives have called on the government to open a separate investigation.
Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt, both former Labour minister, where also filmed allegedly touting their expertise. All three deny any wrongdoing.
A statement released by Mr Byers read: "I have this morning referred myself to the standards commissioner, John Lyon, and asked him to investigate my actions.
"I am confident that he will confirm that I have complied with the MPs' code of conduct and have fully disclosed my outside interests."
Reporters working for The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme interviewed Mr Byers undercover, posing as lobbyists.
During the filming Mr Byers told the reporters he had exercised some influence over Transport Secretary Lord Adonis's decision not to renew a rail franchise contract.
Mr Byers also claimed he had pressed Business Secretary Lord Mandelson not to proceed with detailed food labelling regulations.
Tory leader David Cameron urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch a probe into the revelations.
He has written to head of the Cabinet Office Sir Gus O'Donnell raising concerns over the matter.
Ex health secretary Ms Hewitt denied the suggestion she had secured a government advisory position for a paying client.
She has already announced her intentions not seek reelection to the Commons.
Former defence secretary Geoff Hoon denied the suggestion he had told who he thought was a "a reputable American company" that it was possible for him to obtain confidential government documents.
Labour said it will push forward with a lobbying interests lists, which will publicly detail meetings MPs have held with lobbyists.
Such a move was mooted by the Commons public administration committee last year, but not pursued.
(PR/GK)
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