DUP’s Ian Paisley faces being Commons suspension after sleaze probe

DUP MP Ian Paisley had already apologised for failing to declare the trips

The DUP’s Ian Paisley faces being suspended from the Commons for 30 days after a sleaze probe found he failed to declare up to £100,000 of free holidays to Sri Lanka.

The parliamentary standards watchdog has urged the punishment – the longest for decades – after concluding the MP went on all-expenses paid trips with his family to the country in 2013 but did not register them.

The following year Mr Paisley lobbied then Prime Minister David Cameron on a UN resolution about human rights abuses by the authorities in Sri Lanka – again without declaring an interest.

The cross-party standards committee agreed with commissioner Kathryn Stone that the backbencher’s actions amounted to ‘serious misconduct’ and risked bringing the House of Commons ‘into disrepute’.

The recommended suspension of 30 sitting days is thought to be the longest since the 1930s. 

It will need to be rubber-stamped by the Commons, is due to start in September and could mean Mr Paisley is absent until November. 

The sanction will also be a blow for Theresa May – as it effectively reduces her already wafer-thin majority by one.

Mr Paisley had already apologised for what he said was his ‘unintentional failure’ to register the hospitality, which he estimated was worth £50,000. 

The commissioner, which said the cost may have been ‘significantly more’ than Mr Paisley’s estimate, said the Sri Lankan holidays in 2013 included business-class air travel, accommodation at first-class hotels, helicopter trips and visits to tourist attractions for the North Antrim MP and his wider family. 

Sri Lanka is renowned for its glorious landscapes and beaches, but the country has long been blighted by violence and claims of human rights abuses

Sri Lanka is renowned for its glorious landscapes and beaches, but the country has long been blighted by violence and claims of human rights abuses

Mr Paisley and his fellow DUP MP pictured outside parliament last year. The sanction will also be a blow for Theresa May - as it effectively reduces her already wafer-thin majority by one

Mr Paisley and his fellow DUP MP pictured outside parliament last year. The sanction will also be a blow for Theresa May – as it effectively reduces her already wafer-thin majority by one

The watchdog’s finding read: ‘In view of the seriousness of this matter, we recommend that Mr Paisley be suspended from the service of the House for a period of 30 sitting days starting on 4 September 2018.’ 

The commissioner also said Mr Paisley should now register the holidays with the parliamentary authorities. 

Mr Paisley, the son of late DUP founder the Reverend Ian Paisley, is due to address the House tomorrow.

In theory the sanction could see Mr Paisley face a by-election.

Suspension would be the longest since at least the 1930s

The recommended suspension of 30 sitting days for Ian Paisley is thought to be the longest since the 1930s.

It exceeds the 10 days handed to Tory Derek Conway for expenses abuses in 2008.

George Galloway was handed 18 days for questioning the integrity of other MPs in 2007, and Geoffrey Robinson received a three week punishment for failing to declare interests in 2001.

John McGovern of the Independent Labour Party was suspended for the ‘remainder of the session’ after defying the Speaker in 1931. However, it is not clear whether even that exceeds the penalty Mr Paisley is facing. 

At least two MPs have quit before longer suspensions were imposed on them.

Denis McShane was facing a 12 month bar for expenses abuses in 2012, and Patrick Mercer six months in 2014.

Members who are suspended from the Commons for more than 10 days are open to a recall petition.

A by-election would be triggered if 10 per cent of the electorate in Mr Paisley’s North Antrim constituency sign that petition. 

The investigation was sparked last year when the The Daily Telegraph reported that he accepted two holidays to the Indian Ocean island.

Mr Paisley then referred himself to the standards commissioner for investigation.

The House of Commons Code of Conduct states that MPs must declare any visit to a destination outside the UK which ‘relates in any way to their membership of the House or to their parliamentary or political activities’ and which cost more than £300, unless they have paid for it themselves or out of parliamentary or party funds.

The rules state that MPs do not have to register family holidays, as long as they are ‘wholly unconnected with membership of the House or with the member’s parliamentary or political activities’.

Entries in the Register of Members’ Interests should cover the cost of travel, hotels, meals, hospitality and car hire, and repeat visits should be registered if their combined value comes to more than £300.

A statement issued by Mr Paisley’s lawyer on Thursday said: ‘My client has apologised unreservedly at the outset for his unintentional failure to register the hospitality he received.

‘While accepting the decision of the House Standards Committee, he nonetheless continues to take issue with the sensationalised report in the Daily Telegraph.

‘Legal proceedings are being considered.

‘No further comment will be made until Mr Paisley has addressed the House on Thursday.’ 

What are the Commons rules on MPs registering interests? 

The House of Commons Code of Conduct states that MPs must declare any visit to a destination outside the UK which ‘relates in any way to their membership of the House or to their parliamentary or political activities’ and which cost more than £300, unless they have paid for it themselves or out of parliamentary or party funds.

The rules state that MPs do not have to register family holidays, as long as they are ‘wholly unconnected with membership of the House or with the member’s parliamentary or political activities’.

Entries in the Register of Members’ Interests should cover the cost of travel, hotels, meals, hospitality and car hire, and repeat visits should be registered if their combined value comes to more than £300.

 

 



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