27th September, London – Responding to media reports that a sitting Conservative MP is taking paid employment from a lobbying company, Steve Goodrich, Research Manager Transparency International UK said:

“The public expect their MPs to be full-time representatives of the people. Yet Parliament’s rules still allow our elected law-makers to seek second jobs with firms lobbying on behalf of private clients. This can present a direct conflict of interests and is likely to undermine confidence in the integrity of their work.”

“It’s good to see so many within the lobbying industry resist the temptation to employ serving MPs. Until Parliament bans this practice from happening, Transparency International UK calls for all such firms to keep MPs - public representatives - off their books."

"Being a legislator serving the public interest is simply incompatible with working as a lobbyist serving private interests – you shouldn’t pretend to be both at the same time.”

***ENDS***

Contact:
Dominic Kavakeb
dominic.kavakeb@transparency.org.uk
020 3096 7695
079 6456 0340