LABOUR VOTE AGAINST SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TRANSPARENCY STANDARDS

LABOUR VOTE AGAINST SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TRANSPARENCY STANDARDS

Labour MPs this evening (Wednesday) voted down the introduction of Scottish Parliament standards of transparency for the House of Commons. An SNP amendment – supported by all opposition parties – would have made it an offence for an MP to intentionally fail to declare financial interests.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP argued that the Parliamentary Standards Authority Bill must match Scottish Parliament standards of transparency, including the introduction of criminal penalties against MPs who break the rules.

Mr Robertson said:

“Westminster is reeling from the expenses scandal, and it is disappointing to say the least that Labour MPs have voted down the chance to match Scottish Parliament standards of transparency and accountability.

“This Bill is about trying to build trust in the Westminster system, but at the first chance Labour MPs have voted against total transparency on the key issue of financial interests.

“It is essential that we move to a trustworthy system - and the Scottish Parliament sets the benchmark on how that can be done. It is essential that Westminster matches Scottish Parliament standards of transparency, including the introduction of criminal penalties against MPs who break the rules on expenses or fail to properly declare financial interests.

“The Scottish Parliament has shown the way with legal sanctions that can be applied against wayward parliamentarians, and Westminster must introduce the same sanctions against MPs that break the rules

“We now need to get on with the independent audit of the last four years of claims so that MPs’ accounts can be cleared or otherwise, and we get on with the urgent process of restoring public confidence.”