Boris Johnson sets out plans to ban on MPs working as paid consultants

Boris Johnson sets out plans to ban on MPs working as paid consultants
November 16, 2021, 3:34 pm

Boris Johnson

The BBC reported that Boris Johnson has set out plans to ban MPs from working as paid consultants, in the wake of the row over former Tory MP Owen Paterson.

Mr Paterson was found to have used his position to lobby for two firms paying him - reigniting debates over MPs' outside employment.

In a letter to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the PM said MPs should adopt a ban "as a matter of urgency".

This would stop MPs from "exploiting their positions", he added.

Implementing such a ban would require a change to the MPs' code of conduct, requiring a formal vote in the House of Commons.

UK-Scotland-Edinburgh/Pixabay

Mr Johnson announced his proposal at the same time as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer set out his party's plan to ban second jobs.

Read more: Is the UK Corrupt?

Speaking at a press conference, Sir Keir said his party would ban all second jobs, apart from "public service" roles or professions requiring registration.

He said this included MPs working as NHS doctors and nurses, or in the police and as Army reservists.

He added that Mr Johnson's plan, announced during his press briefing, was a "significant victory for us".

The PM's proposals would implement a recommendation originally made in a 2018 report from ethics watchdog the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

It is thought it would affect around 30 MPs.

Source: BBC

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