MPs traded blows about their second jobs today – with Tory Geoffrey Cox under fire for his extraordinary £1million a year legal earnings.
Political leaders are getting infuriated at one another over the pay they receive. This is after the row about Boris Johnson’s unsuccessful bid to rescue Owen Paterson, an ally of his, from being punished for lobbying.
This morning, the PM stated that outside income would be looked at by MPs. The standards committee will make recommendations prior to Christmas.
Labour is pushing for paid directorships and consultancy roles to be banned – although Keir Starmer says nurses and other professions should be allowed to continue.
But the Tories have pointed out that a number of Opposition MPs also have some outside earnings alongside their salaries of around £82,000 a year.
An eminent QC Mr. Cox has been a long-standing member of the Commons’ highest earners.
In the latest register of interest, the Torridge and West Devon MP revealed that from this month he is receiving £400,000 a year plus VAT for 41 hours’ work a month as Consultant Global Counsel to Withers LLP.
The renowned QC and Mr. Cox have been long among the highest-earning members of the Commons.
In the latest register of interest, the Torridge and West Devon MP revealed that from this month he is receiving £400,000 a year plus VAT for 41 hours’ work a month as Consultant Global Counsel to Withers LLP.
That is actually a reduction on the £468,000 he was receiving for doing 48 hours in the same role in the previous year.
Mr Cox’s entry includes some £570,000 more income for legal work. Register records that 13.5% goes to his legal chambers.
It is not possible to say that Mr. Cox broke any rules.
But Labour MP Karl Turner tweeted: ‘How does @Geoffrey_Cox find time to do his job as a constituency MP, keep his own legal practise going from his chambers and is a consultant to @WithersLLP earning 400K plus VAT p/a as an advisor.’
Asked about the idea of curbing second jobs on a visit in Northumberland today, Mr Johnson said: ‘I think that all those kinds of things are issues that the Speaker’s panel – whatever he sets up – is going to have a look at.’
Asked about the idea of curbing second jobs on a visit in Northumberland today (pictured), Mr Johnson said: ‘I think that all those kinds of things are issues that the Speaker’s panel – whatever he sets up – is going to have a look at.’
Owen Paterson was found by the Standards Committee to have engaged in ‘egregious’ lobbying on behalf of two companies which paid him a combined total of more than £100,000 per year
Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Trade Secretary) was asked earlier by Sky News if MPs should be permitted to have second jobs.
She stated that she thought it was time to reexamine the issue of MPs working in lobbying.
“Across the board I believe we shouldn’t have to remove the ability to keep or have another job. It brings a richness and depth to our roles as members of parliament as well as our work day-to-day with our constituents.
According to the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, 34 MPs reported that they had made payments for consulting or advisory work.
They include Owen Paterson, who was found by the Standards Committee to have engaged in ‘egregious’ lobbying on behalf of two companies which paid him a combined total of more than £100,000 per year.
The Commons has announced that he had resigned and that he would be ceasing his consultancy work.
It is not illegal for MPs to be paid for their advice on external business matters, so long as it’s recorded in the register of interest. But they are forbidden from lobbying the Government.