Carmichael calls for transparency ‘revolution’ over sleaze scandal
A senior Scottish MP has demanded a transparency “revolution”, calling for a cap on the hours and earnings of MPS to be introduced following the row over second jobs.
Alistair Carmichael made the suggestion after it emerged former attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox had earned almost £6 million on top of his MP'S salary.
Now the respected Liberal Democrat politician, who has served as a Scottish MP for two decades, is demanding changes to the register system to make standards more transparent.
Mr Carmichael said: “It is time for a complete revolution in financial transparency for politicians. My only fear is that those at the top of this government have the most to lose from tightening the rules.
“Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox was caught on film hitting out at open registers of interests, complaining about ‘frivolous complaints’ whileheengagedinpaidadvocacy for foreign governments.
“Whether or not his actions were within the existing rules, he is walking proof that we need to recommit to the spirit of transparency and financial probity, not just the letter of the law.
“The foundations for reform are already there in the form of the reports from the Committee on Standards in Public Life. What is needed is the political will to turn those recommendations into actionable changes.”
The Orkney and Shetland MP suggested all parties should work together to come
up with a solution, along with non-partisan figures like the chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
He said: “It cannot be enough just to declare your work – there should be clear outlines of what you are doing, when and where.
“At the same time, talks should look at an independent mechanism to cap the hours and earnings MPS can put into secondary jobs, and a rigorous and speedy system to encourage
disclosures and sanction those who ignore the rules.
“If we are going to clean up this mess, then transparency in spirit and in law must be the way forward.”
Mr Carmichael’s comments came as it emerged Sir Geoffrey had agreed to an additional two weeks of work representing ministers from the British Virgin Islands this month while Parliament was sitting.
Labour has lodged a for
mal complaint with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after a video emerged showing the Tory MP apparently taking part in one of the hearings remotely from his Commons office.
Senior Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale has also labelled it “plain wrong” for colleagues to be earning money as landlords of properties they own in London, while taking taxpayers’ cash to pay their own rent.
It was reported 14 MPS were
taking advantage of a loophole in the Parliamentary expenses scheme, which means they can let their homes to tenants, and then claim for rent paid on a London rental property to live in.
Many of those who claim say they are pushed into the arrangement as MPS are not allowed to claim mortgage interest payments as expenses.