House of Lords Hit by New “Erminegate” Ethics Scandal

Feb 2nd, 2009 • Posted in: News

Newspaper reports that members of the British upper house were prepared to accept money in return for influencing legislation

LONDON
The British House of Lords may be facing an investigation into allegations that members were prepared to change laws in return for cash.

According to the BBC, the Metropolitan Police are reviewing the claims but have yet to decide whether to launch a formal probe.

Sunday’s Times of London reports that four Labour Peers had discussed amending legislation in return for a fee — in some cases ranging into the neighborhood of $175,000, according to the paper. The scandal is being dubbed Erminegate after the fur trim on members’ cloaks.

Reports from the London-based Financial Times and the ITV network say all four peers implicated in the scandal — Lord Truscott of St. James, Lord Taylor of Blackburn, Lord Moonie, and Lord Snape — deny all wrongdoing.

The House of Lords was embroiled in a similar scandal in 2007 after it was alleged that seats in the house were sold in exchange for political contributions. An investigation into those allegations ended with no charges being filed.

Sources: BBC, Jan. 29 — ITV, Jan. 29 — Financial Times, Jan. 29 — Washington Post, Jan. 28 — Times of London, Jan. 27.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, Sep. 29, 2008 — Related Newsline story, Aug. 4, 2008 — Related Newsline story, July 23, 2007 — Related Newsline story, May 14, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 2, 2007.

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One Response »

1. Ethics Newsline® » News » Yet Another Political Scandal Rocks Britain on May 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, Feb. 2 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 29, 2008 — Related Newsline story, Aug. 4, [...]

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