Ex-MPs face ban from Parliament

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9th December 2010

Former Labour ministers Geoff Hoon, Stephen Byers and Richard Caborn could be barred from the Houses of Parliament.

Earlier this year the three former MPs were caught in a television documentary seemingly boasting about the level of access they enjoyed with ministers before they stepped down from Parliament.

Byers told reporters from the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches that he was like a "cab for hire" for up to £5,000 a day – he believed them to be representatives of an American communications company prepared to offer him a job.

Former MPs are allowed to apply for a parliamentary pass which grants them privileged access to parts of the Parliamentary estate and to some of its facilities.

In a report published today the standards and privileges committee recommended that all three former MPs have their passes confiscated as punishment for their actions.

The committee noted that there was not any modern precedent for punishing a former MP for misconduct committed while still a MP.

While Parliament does have the ability to fine or imprison offenders, these powers have not been used for over a hundred years.

Hoon, a former Labour defence secretary, was criticised for a "particularly serious breach" and the committee has called for his pass to be taken away for five years from the New Year.

Byers could have his pass confiscated for two years from January 1 2011. It would have been for longer if he had not "apologised in such unequivocal terms".

Caborn will have his parliamentary photopass suspended for six months.

Former Labour minister Patrica Hewitt and ex-Tory MP Sir John Butterfill were both cleared of breaking any rules.

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