SNP’S Nicolson probed by Commons ethics watchdog after Speaker row
PARLIAMENT’S privileges committee is to probe the SNP’S John Nicolson over claims he deliberately undermined the impartiality and integrity of the Speaker.
MPS voted by 371 to 16 to refer the former broadcaster to the sevenmember committee responsible for investigating potential contempt of parliament cases.
Ironically, his probe is a result of his attempt to have the committee investigate the behaviour of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries.
The ex-tory minister for Culture, Media and Sport claimed there were “paid actors” on the 2010 Channel 4 TV show Tower Block of Commons, which she took part in.
An investigation by the broadcaster and show maker, Love Productions found nothing to support the claims.
Last month, in a report, the committee said Ms Dorries should have corrected the record “for the integrity of parliamentary scrutiny.”
Mr Nicolson then sent a copy of the report to the Speaker.
However, Mr Hoyle said he would take no action as the committee had not recommended any action be taken.
Last week, in a video posted on Twitter, the Ochil and South Perthshire MP told followers that the Speaker had “decided to take no further action and not to refer Nadine Doris to the Privileges Committee.
“In other words, she’ll suffer no consequences for what she’s done.
And I thought you should know.”
The video, which has been viewed more than 615,000 times, sparked an angry backlash against the Speaker.
Mr Hoyle said the MP had betrayed his trust.
Tory MP David Davis said the Commons had a duty to “protect the integrity, impartiality and apolitical nature of the Speaker’s office”.
He said Mr Nicolson had broken “all the conventions on the privacy of Speakers’ correspondence” with a “partial and partisan account of Mr Speaker’s letter”.
Mr Nicolson told MPS he was “deeply sorry that the Speaker is upset.”
“But it would be disingenuous of me to say that I knowingly revealed this.
“I could not have been more open by going on camera and discussing this. I clearly wasn’t trying to hide it.”
If the Privileges Committee find Mr Nicolson guilty of contempt, they can recommend possible sanctions, including an oral or written apology or suspension from the House of Commons.