MPs face jobs ban in Osborne backlash
PARLIAMENT’S sleaze watchdog will next month consider banning MPs from taking second jobs like George Osborne’s London Evening Standard editorship, it can be revealed.
MPs on the parliamentary committee on standards will demand the rules be tightened after a backlash over the former chancellor’s new role.
Tommy Sheppard, an SNP MP on the committee, said he would push for two new changes to the code of conduct.
The first would bar MPs from taking jobs that stop them fully representing constituents; the second would say no second job can involve more than 20 hours’ work a week. Mr Osborne will edit the newspaper for four days a week on average, the Standard said.
Mr Sheppard said: “One of the principles I think there is broad agreement on is that if you have a second or third job, it must be something that demonstrably doesn’t prevent you doing your first job as an MP. “You cannot edit the Evening Standard and represent your constituents in any meaningful sense. How many votes would you miss in the Commons, for example? It beggars belief.”
The committee will consider code of conduct changes next month.
Mr Osborne now has six jobs. The others are advising the finance giant BlackRock, completing a fellowship in America, chairing the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, giving after-dinner speeches and being MP for Tatton.
He faces calls to quit over conflicts of interest. Sources said it was unlikely he had broken any code of conduct rules.
Lord Bew, chairman of the committee on standards in public life, is also expected to raise concerns.
It emerged yesterday Mr Osborne went for the job only after friends asked his advice about themselves applying.