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Monday, February 02, 2009

Corrupt Peers Can Carry On Lobbying Despite Scandal

Peers who influence or amend laws to benefit companies that pay them will not face any new restrictions after the cash for amendments row.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, promised new laws yesterday, allowing members of the Lords to be expelled if they bring the Upper House into disrepute.

Peers who are “non-domiciled” for tax purposes, potentially including billionaire Labour and Tory donors, could also lose their seats if plans supported by the Justice Secretary become law. Mr Straw said that, in general, lobbyists were too influential in British political life — the first hint since a report by the Commons Public Administration Committee on lobbying that curbs may be coming.

But there are no plans by the Government or the House of Lords to restrict peers who lobby on behalf of companies that pay them, despite criticism that this presents a worrying conflict of interest.

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Guy Fawkes had the right idea!!

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