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| Peers face expulsion over sleaze | Peers face expulsion over sleaze |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Peers who break sleaze rules could be kicked out and MPs could be banned from earning extra cash, under plans being considered by the government. | Peers who break sleaze rules could be kicked out and MPs could be banned from earning extra cash, under plans being considered by the government. |
| Currently the heaviest punishment for peers who break the rules is being ordered to apologise. | Currently the heaviest punishment for peers who break the rules is being ordered to apologise. |
| The move could be made retrospective, so they would cover four Labour peers in the cash-for-influence row - if allegations against them are proved. | |
| The Conservatives said they backed tighter rules on peers' conduct. | |
| Shadow Lords leader Lord Strathclyde said: "This stains the whole of the House of Lords. We do not have a regime of sanctions which comes up to public scrutiny. That's what we've got to deal with. | |
| "But we mustn't let this thing drag on for months or even years. We need clarity and we need a sanctions regime so that people know if they do something wrong they will be punished. They will be punished quickly and then we can move on." | |
| Shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke told the Politics Show in the East Midlands: "We should introduce the power to suspend or expel members of the House of Lords. It could be done next week." | |
| When it was put to him that the House of Lords would have to agree to this, he replied: "The pressure they are under at the moment, I think the House of Lords would agree to it next week." | |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw is preparing measures to beef up the House of Lords conduct regime, for inclusion in the forthcoming Constitution Renewal Bill. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw is preparing measures to beef up the House of Lords conduct regime, for inclusion in the forthcoming Constitution Renewal Bill. |
| Criminal law | Criminal law |
| Those with criminal convictions, including Lord Archer and Lord Black, could also be expelled under the measures being considered by Mr Straw. | Those with criminal convictions, including Lord Archer and Lord Black, could also be expelled under the measures being considered by Mr Straw. |
| Jeffrey Archer received a four-year prison sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice, while Conrad Black has been jailed in the US for fraud. | Jeffrey Archer received a four-year prison sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice, while Conrad Black has been jailed in the US for fraud. |
| Mr Straw told Sky News: "Where there was misconduct the same approach would apply as that which applies the House of Commons, because in the House of Commons if you break the criminal law, or for example it's found that although you haven't broken the criminal law you've been doing something completely improper, then the House of Commons can in extremis expel you. | Mr Straw told Sky News: "Where there was misconduct the same approach would apply as that which applies the House of Commons, because in the House of Commons if you break the criminal law, or for example it's found that although you haven't broken the criminal law you've been doing something completely improper, then the House of Commons can in extremis expel you. |
| "And that must apply to the House of Lords. All three parties were effectively signed up to this White Paper so I want now to see progress made, not least against the background of concern - very understandable concern - about these revelations which were in the Sunday Times last week." | "And that must apply to the House of Lords. All three parties were effectively signed up to this White Paper so I want now to see progress made, not least against the background of concern - very understandable concern - about these revelations which were in the Sunday Times last week." |
| The Sunday Times also said that peers who are "non-domiciled" or "non-resident" for tax purposes could also lose their place. | The Sunday Times also said that peers who are "non-domiciled" or "non-resident" for tax purposes could also lose their place. |
| Outside earnings | Outside earnings |
| Baroness Royal, Labour leader in the Lords told the newspaper the system currently in place was "bananas". | Baroness Royal, Labour leader in the Lords told the newspaper the system currently in place was "bananas". |
| The moves come following allegations about the conduct of four Labour peers. | The moves come following allegations about the conduct of four Labour peers. |
| Last week the Sunday Times reported that Lord Moonie, Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape - had discussed changing legislation in return for a fee with undercover reporters posing as lobbyists. | Last week the Sunday Times reported that Lord Moonie, Lord Truscott, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape - had discussed changing legislation in return for a fee with undercover reporters posing as lobbyists. |
| Let's not be so restrictive that we stop talented people coming into politics William Hague | Let's not be so restrictive that we stop talented people coming into politics William Hague |
| The men all deny breaking Parliamentary rules and the police have not yet decided whether to launch an investigation. | The men all deny breaking Parliamentary rules and the police have not yet decided whether to launch an investigation. |
| A House of Lords committee is investigating the claims, which have raised concerns across the political spectrum. | |
| In fresh allegations about the extent of business activities in the Upper House, the Sunday Times reports that peers have proposed 50 amendments in the past two years to change laws in ways that would benefit organisations paying them. | In fresh allegations about the extent of business activities in the Upper House, the Sunday Times reports that peers have proposed 50 amendments in the past two years to change laws in ways that would benefit organisations paying them. |
| Meanwhile, in a separate development, The Sunday Telegraph reports that Commons Leader Harriet Harman is considering restrictions on outside earnings for MPs. | Meanwhile, in a separate development, The Sunday Telegraph reports that Commons Leader Harriet Harman is considering restrictions on outside earnings for MPs. |
| This would include an outright ban on other jobs, limiting additional earnings to 15% of parliamentary salary, or a partial ban that would rule out paid directorships, but leave MPs able to do other jobs - such as practising as a doctor, the newspaper reports. | This would include an outright ban on other jobs, limiting additional earnings to 15% of parliamentary salary, or a partial ban that would rule out paid directorships, but leave MPs able to do other jobs - such as practising as a doctor, the newspaper reports. |
| 'Reheated proposals' | 'Reheated proposals' |
| MPs can draw a basic £63,000 salary and additional expenses. | MPs can draw a basic £63,000 salary and additional expenses. |
| Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague, whose outside interests make him one of the Commons' biggest earners, said ministers were trying to "hide their embarrassment" about the cash-for-influence row with "reheated" old proposals for reform at Westminster. | Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague, whose outside interests make him one of the Commons' biggest earners, said ministers were trying to "hide their embarrassment" about the cash-for-influence row with "reheated" old proposals for reform at Westminster. |
| He told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "If the government comes up with other proposals on reforming Parliament then, of course, we must look at those proposals. | |
| "In principle, I would say let's not be so restrictive that we stop talented people coming into and staying in politics, because we are not so overflowing with talent - in any party - that we can do without those people. | |
| "But don't let the government off the hook here. Irrespective of any future rules, the allegations made about these peers in the last week involve breaking rules that Parliament has had for centuries that financial inducements to change legislation are not allowed." | "But don't let the government off the hook here. Irrespective of any future rules, the allegations made about these peers in the last week involve breaking rules that Parliament has had for centuries that financial inducements to change legislation are not allowed." |