MPs Need Ethics Lessons, Says Sleaze Watchdog

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 05 November 2013 | 23.17

MPs and peers should be given lessons in ethics to stop them from abusing their positions of power, according to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

New members to both Houses of Parliament should be given "scenario-based ethics training" during their induction.

The proposal is one of a number of measures aimed at clamping down on lobbying issues following a number of scandals.

Earlier this year David Cameron was mired in a lobbying row when it emerged his election strategist Lynton Crosby once worked for the tobacco giant Philip Morris after the Government dropped its plans to enforce plain cigarette packaging.

Mr Crosby, who led Boris Johnson's re-election campaign, denied having any influence in the Government's decision to halt the plans.

On Sunday it was disclosed Mr Cameron, who once warned that lobbying would be "the next big scandal waiting to happen", had hired Mr Crosby to work full-time on his General Election campaign in a £500,000 deal.

Lynton Crosby Lynton Crosby

Lord Paul Bew, chairman of the Standards in Public Life Committee, said the public needed to know that vested interests were not having undue influence over decision-makers following a series of scandals.

He said: "We have concluded that a package of measures is urgently required to deliver a greater culture of openness and transparency around lobbying; provide greater clarity for public office holders on the standards expected of them; and to reassure the public that a more ethical approach to lobbying is actively being applied by all those individuals and organisations involved in lobbying."

The report urged "detailed disclosure" about contacts with lobbyists and the hospitality they provided, including dates of meetings and details of the subject matter and other guests. All to be given within one month of the meeting.

The report pointed out that "ethics training as a feature of other professions".

"The relevant codes of conduct and guidance are essential information to be received by Members of both Houses of Parliament on induction.

"Ethics training should be included in their induction and training programme.

"Scenario based ethics training is recommended as an approach to raising consciousness of and adherence to high ethical standards in lobbying."

Mr Cameron has suggested lobbying legislation would stop future scandals, but charities have complained legitimate activities would be curtailed while many other lobbyists would not be covered.

Labour civil society spokeswoman Lisa Nandy said: "Labour has repeatedly warned that David Cameron's Lobbying Bill is a bad piece of legislation that will make things worse, not better.

"The Bill in its current form will only cover 1% of lobbying activity and would let the tobacco lobbyist and David Cameron's chief adviser, Lynton Crosby, off the hook whilst gagging charities and campaigners.

"No wonder the public thinks the Prime Minister stands up for the wrong people."


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