Member News
The government's legislation to overhaul the regulation of parliamentary standards has suffered a fresh blow.
Proposals for dealing with prosecutions in cases of 'cash for questions' were defeated by three votes during Wednesday's debate on the Parliamentary Standards Bill.
Under the clause, parliamentary proceedings could have been used in court against any MP found to have acted improperly.
But MPs claimed the provision would limit their ability to speak freely on behalf of constituents.
The tradition of privilege has previously meant that comments in Parliament cannot be used in any court.
And MPs voted 250 to 247 to drop the proposals, with Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith arguing that the legislation did not require the controversial clause.
"We can set up the necessary body without it... to the general satisfaction of the House," he insisted.
And Conservative MP Gerald Howarth added: "Surely it's a constitutional outrage that a clause in this Bill described by the learned clerk as 'possibly having a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members' has not had a moment's debate in this chamber."
The Bill has also had its code of conduct for MPs watered down, and the government has accepted a string of amendments in order to clarify its plans.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
E Thompson
2nd Jul 2009 at 3:01 pm