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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Peers respond to cash allegations | Peers respond to cash allegations |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Two of the Labour peers at the centre of claims they were ready to take cash to change legislation have responded to the allegations in the House of Lords. | Two of the Labour peers at the centre of claims they were ready to take cash to change legislation have responded to the allegations in the House of Lords. |
| Lord Snape stood up to refute the allegations made by the Sunday Times. | Lord Snape stood up to refute the allegations made by the Sunday Times. |
| And Lord Taylor of Blackburn said he apologised if he had done anything to bring the House into disrepute, but said he felt he had followed the rules. | And Lord Taylor of Blackburn said he apologised if he had done anything to bring the House into disrepute, but said he felt he had followed the rules. |
| Lords leader Lady Royall called the claims "deeply shocking" and said a "rigorous" inquiry had already begun. | Lords leader Lady Royall called the claims "deeply shocking" and said a "rigorous" inquiry had already begun. |
| She pointed out that they were only allegations at this stage but said the claims had been "damaging not just to this House but to Parliament and politics". | She pointed out that they were only allegations at this stage but said the claims had been "damaging not just to this House but to Parliament and politics". |
| 'No grey areas' | |
| Lady Royall, who has spoken to the four peers named by the Sunday Times, had been urged to make a statement by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. | |
| She said the matter had been referred to the Lords Interests sub committee, which had already met and investigations were underway. | |
| And she said she believed "tougher sanctions" were needed to deal with peers who broke the rules - currently they cannot be suspended or expelled - and she had written to the chairman of the committee of privileges to ask him to review the matter. | |
| I feel within my own conscience I followed the rules Lord Taylor | |
| The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said the allegations represented a "shocking and depressing moment" for the House of Lords. | |
| "If these allegations are true those involved have shamed this House," he said, adding there were no "grey areas in the paid advocacy rules". | |
| But as peers debated claims made on Sunday the four peers had offered to help make amendments for up to £120,000, Lord Snape stood up to tell peers: "As one of the people involved in this incident may I first of all apologise for bringing this House, if I have done so, into disrepute. | |
| "But may I say that these are allegations in a Sunday newspaper and may I appeal to noble lords in all parts of the House to allow me the opportunity to refute these allegations before your lordships house and elsewhere." | |
| Lord Taylor told peers: "If I have done anything that has brought this House into disrepute I most humbly apologise." | |
| But he said he wanted to give evidence to the inquiry adding:"I feel within my own conscience I followed the rules and the directions that have been given in this House over the 31 years I have been a member." | |
| All four peers, who spoke to undercover reporters, have denied any wrongdoing. | |
| Those named in the Sunday Times story are former energy minister Lord Truscott, former defence minister Lord Moonie, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and former Labour whip Lord Snape. | |
| Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "determined to get to the bottom" of the allegations. | |
| Meanwhile the Lib Dems say they are planning to make a complaint to the police over the claims. |