Only one MP in the county employs a family member
LMPS should follow a recruitment process that is transparent and encourages diversity.
IPSA spokesperson
AURENCE Robertson is the only county MP to employ a member of his family. Mr Robertson’s entry in the Parliamentary register of members’ interests shows that he employs his wife Annemarie in his constituency office as a senior parliamentary assistant.
Records published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show Ms Robertson was paid between £40,000 and £44,999 in the financial year 2019-20.
He also employs four other members of staff in his parliamentary and constituency offices at a costs of £143,000, according to IPSA figures.
This is perfectly legal, although MPS elected since 2017 are not able to do the same.
A rule change brought in four years ago means MPS are not able to employ members of their family at public expense - but MPS elected before the change can continue.
Mr Robertson was first elected for Tewkesbury constituency in 1997.
For a while Mr Robertson had both Anne-marie and his former wife Susan both on the payroll, but a spokesman from his office said: “Laurence hasn’t employed Susan Robertson for years, since 2015 from memory.
“All the staff salaries are documented.”
Having more than one member of the family on the payroll was outlawed in 2010, although those employed before then were able to keep their jobs.
Continuing to employ a family member puts Mr Robertson in a minority according to the register of interests there are 86 politicians who currently employ a partner, spouse or other relative in roles such as office manager, secretary, parliamentary assistant or researcher. That works out as 13 per cent of members.
Almost two thirds of the, 63 per cent, are Conservatives. A total of 55 Tory MPS employ a spouse, partner, child or parent; compared to 25 Labour politicians. There are also four DUP and two SNP MPS who keep a close relative on their team.
Of the 86 MPS, the majority, 74 employ a spouse or partner, but there are also two MPS’ sons, three daughters, one step-son and one step-daughter working in the corridors of power.
Meanwhile, one MP employs their own brother and three have recruited sisters.
A spokesperson for IPSA said: “Since 2017, MPS have not been able to employ connected parties.
“We acknowledge the great work carried out by connected parties but their recruitment is out of step with modern working practices.
“MPS should follow a recruitment process that is transparent and encourages diversity.”