Jonathan Sayeed, the Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire, is facing suspension from parliament for two weeks and has been suspended by Michael Howard from the Tory whip for his "unacceptable behaviour".

Sayeed and his parliamentary aide, Alexandra Messervy, are under fire for accepting large sums of money from wealthy Americans in return for the opportunity to stay in the homes of English aristocrats and attend  receptions and private dinners in the Houses of Parliament.

The backbencher and his aide have been condemned by an all-party committee of MPs for breaking parliamentary rules following an investigation by Sir Philip Mawer, the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

The report that "Mr Sayeed's conduct has fallen well below the standards the house expects, and risked damaging its reputation".

Sayeed refused to accept the findings and emailed a five page statement to MPs criticising the proposed ban as "wrong, unjust and contrary to the evidence."