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Police look at peers cash claims Police look at peers cash claims
(about 4 hours later)
Police are looking at newspaper allegations that four peers were prepared to change laws in return for cash, it has been confirmed.Police are looking at newspaper allegations that four peers were prepared to change laws in return for cash, it has been confirmed.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police are reviewing material relating to the claims, made in the Sunday Times, following a complaint by the Lib Dems.Officers from the Metropolitan Police are reviewing material relating to the claims, made in the Sunday Times, following a complaint by the Lib Dems.
But Lady Royall, Leader of the House of Lords, said police had yet to decide whether to launch an investigation.But Lady Royall, Leader of the House of Lords, said police had yet to decide whether to launch an investigation.
She has said the allegations, which the four men deny, are "very serious".She has said the allegations, which the four men deny, are "very serious".
The Sunday Times reported that four Labour peers - Lord Moonie, Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape - had discussed amending legislation in return for a fee, which would be in breach of parliamentary standards.The Sunday Times reported that four Labour peers - Lord Moonie, Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape - had discussed amending legislation in return for a fee, which would be in breach of parliamentary standards.
Received requestReceived request
The four deny breaking any rules.The four deny breaking any rules.
The Lib Dems alerted the police to the allegations on Monday.The Lib Dems alerted the police to the allegations on Monday.
Lady Royall said she had been told officers were looking at material relevant to the issue while attending a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority.Lady Royall said she had been told officers were looking at material relevant to the issue while attending a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
In a statement in the House of Lords, she said: "On Monday, the Met Police received a request to consider investigating whether an offence had been committed by certain members of the House.In a statement in the House of Lords, she said: "On Monday, the Met Police received a request to consider investigating whether an offence had been committed by certain members of the House.
"The police have now decided to review the relevant material in this matter to assist them in deciding whether it would be appropriate to carry out an investigation.""The police have now decided to review the relevant material in this matter to assist them in deciding whether it would be appropriate to carry out an investigation."
She added: "I should stress that the police are not investigating this matter at this stage."She added: "I should stress that the police are not investigating this matter at this stage."
A Met spokesman said it would be "reviewing the relevant material to assist a decision whether or not to it will be appropriate to launch an investigation".A Met spokesman said it would be "reviewing the relevant material to assist a decision whether or not to it will be appropriate to launch an investigation".
A House of Lords committee is to investigate the allegations, which have raised concerns across the political spectrum.A House of Lords committee is to investigate the allegations, which have raised concerns across the political spectrum.
Lady Royall has said the allegations have damaged Parliament and that its members must abide by the highest standards.Lady Royall has said the allegations have damaged Parliament and that its members must abide by the highest standards.
The government has said it will act decisively if any wrongdoing is uncovered, introducing new sanctions against members if necessary.The government has said it will act decisively if any wrongdoing is uncovered, introducing new sanctions against members if necessary.
But opposition parties say the allegations show the need for more fundamental reform of the House of Lords.But opposition parties say the allegations show the need for more fundamental reform of the House of Lords.
Blackburn donations
Meanwhile, The Electoral Commission has confirmed it has received an allegation that the constituency Labour Party of Justice Secretary Jack Straw received an impermissible donation in 2005.
Ben Wallace, the Conservative MP for Lancaster and Wyre, alleges that a £2,000 donation from a firm called Westminster International Consultants LLP was not permissible because one of its partners, Dr Yusuf Karbhari, said in an interview with the London Evening Standard that the firm "didn't carry out any business in the UK".
To be a permissible donor, a company must be trading in the UK.
The Standard also quotes another partner, Siraj Karbhari, as saying he made the donation in a personal capacity, but may have used the chequebook of one of his companies.
If so, he said, he had done it by mistake.
The Electoral Commission says donations can be from individuals if they are UK citizens, which Mr Karbhari is, but must be in the name of the person making them, not of a third party.
Mr Straw declared a donation to his constituency party from Mr Karbhari and Westminster International Consultants in the Register of Members' Interests on July 15 2005.
Blackburn Constituency Labour Party accepted the donation on April 1 2005 from Westminster International Consultants and registered it with the Electoral Commission.
A spokesman for Jack Straw said: "If, as we understand, a complaint has been made to the Electoral Commission, then Blackburn Constituency Labour Party and Jack Straw will of course co-operate fully with any request for information."