Patrick Mercer Fiji Lobbying Scandal: Alleged 'Cash For Questions' And Sold Lobby Pass
Details of the shady deal allegedly accepted by a former Tory MP, to pay him thousands of pounds to ask questions in parliament, have been published on Saturday.
Patrick Mercer, a long-time adversary of David Cameron, quit the party whip to "save my party embarrassment" and has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. He will not contest the next general election.
The sting operation, conducted by the Daily Telegraph and the BBC's Panorama programme, had undercover reporters posing as lobbyists representing businesses seeking to end Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth and signed a £2,000 per month contract.
Fiji, a military dictatorship, was suspended in 2009 over human rights concerns and a lack of democracy.
It is alleged that after being paid £4,000, he tabled five parliamentary questions related to the country that had been drafted by the bogus lobbyists as well as a parliamentary motion. Mercer said he is taking legal advice.
Parliamentary records show he asked questions this month about Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth, and UK investment in its public transport.
In March he put down an Early Day Motion - a parliamentary device used to draw attention to issues - saying there was "no justification for Fiji's continued suspension from the Commonwealth".
The newspaper said he was recorded after receiving the first payment saying he would "put a handful" of questions.
He had failed to register his interest, it said, and also established an all-party group on Fiji and agreed to provide a parliamentary pass for a "representative" of the fictional Fijian client.
In a video published by the Telegraph on Saturday, a man alleged to be Mercer says: “I do not charge a great deal of money for these things. I would normally come out at £500 per half day. So £1,000 a day.”
Mercer also allegedly suggests that other MPs were interested in being part of a All Party Parliamentary Group on Fiji, if they could get free trips to the country.
In a statement Panorama said: "Patrick Mercer MP said he agreed to be a consultant for work he said was outside parliament.
"But he submitted five parliamentary questions, which were all answered, as well as an early day motion - all in relation to Fiji."
The Telegraph alleged that Mercer met the undercover reporter to discuss the EDMsafter the East recess. in the Marriott hotel across the river from Parliament. The discussion turned again to the EDM. The reporter said the MP was “brilliantly earning your money, which by the way will go through today”. The paper alleges that Mercer responded by giving a “thumbs up” sign.
It released a clip which appeared to show Mr Mercer telling the undercover reporter: "I do not charge a great deal of money for these things. I would normally come out at £500 per half day, so £1,000 a day."
Details of the allegations emerged hours after Mr Mercer dramatically announced he would quit parliament in 2015.
In a statement, he said: "Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.
"I am taking legal advice about these allegations - and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
"In the meantime, to save my party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative Whip and have so informed (chief whip) Sir George Young. I have also decided not to stand at the next general election."
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