The Conduct Of Lord Cunningham Of Felling

The Sub-committee on Lords' Interests investigated the conduct of Lord Cunningham of Felling, following a complaint made by Norman Lamb MP. The complaint dates back February 2008 but as procedures were under review a decision was deferred. The Sub-committee have dismissed the complaint and the Committee for Privileges endorse this conclusion.

The report The Conduct Of Lord Cunningham of Felling (HL 94) follows a request by Lord O'Neill to investigate him following a conversation between Lord O'Neill and undercover journalists working for the 'Sunday Times', which was covertly recorded by the journalists. The journalists posed as strategic consultants representing a South Korean investor looking to market innovative solar technology in the United Kingdom. The consultants wanted to recruit parliamentarians to further the client's interests within Parliament and government. The journalists alleged that Lord Cunningham was in breach of the code by indicating he was willing to: (i) Host functions in the House of Lords on behalf of a paying client; (ii) Help establish an all-party group at the behest of the client; and (iii) Act as a paid advocate in the House and to provide parliamentary advice and services. In addition to those three allegations, which were published,

This report arose out of a request by Lord Laird that the Commissioner for Standards should investigate his conduct in connection with two separate sets of allegations. The first arose from the Sunday Times articles in which undercover journalists purported to act for consultants working on behalf of a South Korean solar energy investor. The second set of allegations arose from a BBC Panorama programme in which undercover reporters purported to act on behalf of a group called the Society of Friends of Fiji. The Commissioner found that Lord Laird breached the Code of Conduct in three respects. First, that Lord Laird attempted to negotiate an agreement with the undercover Sunday Times journalists which would have involved him in helping to create an all-party group at the behest of the consultants in return for payment or other reward; secondly, that Lord Laird attempted to negotiate an agreement with the undercover Sunday Times journalists which would have involved him providing parliamentary services in return for payment or other reward; thirdly, that Lord Laird attempted to negotiate an agreement with the undercover Panorama reporters which would have involved him helping to create an all-party group at the behest of the client in return for payment or other reward. The Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct recommended that Lord Laird be suspended from the service of the House for four months. Lord Laird appealed. The Committee affirmed the Commissioner's findings and confirm the recommended sanction of four months' suspension

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