U.K. politicians caught in lobbying scandal

LONDON (AP) ? Three members of Britain's House of Lords denied wrongdoing Sunday after apparently being caught in newspaper stings agreeing to lobby Parliament in return for cash.

Labour peers Brian Mackenzie and Jack Cunningham and Ulster Unionist John Laird were recorded by a Sunday Times reporter pretending to represent a solar energy firm.

They appeared to agree to push the firm's cause in Parliament. Cunningham was recorded saying he could help with "knocking on doors, introductions and getting to see people, including if necessary the ministers," as well as asking questions in the Lords ? for a fee of up to 12,000 pounds ($18,000) a month.

British parliamentarians are barred from engaging in "paid advocacy" for outside groups, but critics say the rules are too loose.

All three peers denied breaking parliamentary rules. Laird insisted that "I did not agree to act as a paid advocate in any proceedings of the House nor did I accept payment or other incentive or reward in return for providing parliamentary advice or services."

But the Ulster Unionist Party said Sunday that Laird had been suspended from its group in Parliament "pending the outcome of a review of his behavior."

On Friday, lawmaker Patrick Mercer left the Conservative parliamentary caucus "to save my party embarrassment" ahead of allegations of lobbying irregularities due to be aired in a BBC documentary next week.

Mercer is alleged to have taken money from a fake firm professing to work for the government of Fiji. He subsequently asked questions about Fiji in Parliament.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-politicians-caught-lobbying-scandal-093818379.html

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