Green MP Caroline Lucas ‘is under investigation after offering tours of Parliament in exchange for money in 2019 general election campaign’
- Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, facing probe from standards watchdog
- Probe is thought to relate to fundraising efforts ahead of 2019 general election
Green MP Caroline Lucas is reportedly being investigated for an alleged breach of House of Commons rules after offering tours of Parliament in exchange for money ahead of the 2019 general election.
The alleged breach is believed to relate to a 2019 campaign fundraiser called ‘Put Caroline Lucas back in Parliament alongside more Green MPs’.
Those who donated money to the fundraiser were apparently eligible for a number of ‘perks’.
People who paid £150 were eligible for a ‘personal guided tour of House of Commons’ for 30 minutes if Ms Lucas was re-elected.
An official code of conduct for MPs bans them from offering tours of Parliament in raffles or auctions.
But Ms Lucas said in a statement she did not believe she had done anything wrong.
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion pictured in the House of Commons in December, was re-elected at the 2019 general election
Hove resident Stuart Bower, 69, posted a written complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards raising concerns about the fundraiser.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone reportedly wrote back to Mr Bower stating: ‘I have decided not to begin an inquiry into your complaint because an overlapping matter is already under inquiry.
‘When the matter has been concluded my decision, the reasons for it and the relevant evidence will be published.’
Ms Lucas said in a statement: ‘I’m aware that a case against me has been brought to the Commissioner, and an investigation is currently under way.
‘I do not believe I have done anything wrong. I have been advised that the Commissioner’s investigations are confidential so it would not be appropriate for me to say anything more at this time.’
The office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said they could neither confirm or deny whether Ms Lucas was under investigation because all probes are secret.
Tours around the Houses of Parliament from a ‘knowledgeable guide’ can be bought for £26.50.
However, people can book a free guided tour by contacting their MP or a member of the House of Lords.
The Code of Conduct and related rules of the House state: ‘Members are reminded that the rules of the House apply to any tours which they or their office arrange, and that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards may investigate if there is sufficient evidence of a breach of the rules.
An official code of conduct states MPs are not allowed to offer tours of Parliament in raffles or auctions
‘Members must not offer tours of the House or of the Elizabeth Tower or Big Ben in raffles or auctions.
‘Members are reminded that tours on the Parliamentary estate which would otherwise be available at nil cost (for example, public tours of the Visitor Route) should under no circumstances be offered as raffle or auction prizes.’
A number of other items, listed on the crowdfunding advert as ‘perks’, were also available for people to purchase.
Those splashing out £250 would be treated to ‘lunch with Caroline’ where she would join you for lunch and a chat somewhere in Brighton.
For £100, the former Green Party leader would bake you a cake.
It stated that the fundraised money would be used to help re-elect Ms Lucas in her Brighton Pavilion consituency.
Ms Lucas successfully retained the seat in December. She has been an MP since 2010.