One Tory MP asked for money in order to obtain a second job at a Saudi Arabian firm. He said he had to pay school fees.
Daniel Kawczynski, in series of WhatsApp messages tried to make himself look like the most pro-Saudi Commons MP.
He offered to host one potential employer at Parliament and gave him a tour of House of Commons. Dinner was also served in the private dining room of MPs.
These revelations raise new questions about MPs second jobs, and they come at a time when the Tories are facing a fight in today’s North Shropshire By-election.
Owen Paterson, a former cabinet minister, vacated this seat last month. He was found to be violating Commons lobbying regulations.
According to the Standards Commissioner, Paterson had “repeatedly misused his privilege position in order to benefit two businesses for which he was paid as a consultant and this has caused disrepute within the House.”
Yesterday, The Guardian published the messages that Mr Kawczynski had sent to a fixer in September 2017 and June 2018. They asked for assistance finding work outside Parliament.
Daniel Kawczynski tried to make himself look like the most pro-Saudi MP by sending a series WhatsApp messages.
Yesterday, The Guardian published the messages that Mr Kawczynski had sent to a fixer in September 2017 and June 2018. They asked for assistance finding work outside Parliament.
He said that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman claimed that Saudi Arabia has no greater friend than him in Britain.
His words were: “I’m looking for a non-exec position as an adviser/consultant or director in a company.”
I am passionate about Anglo-Arab relations. [is]This could be a way to help companies with relationships in the UK and Middle East.
“I am not sure of the remuneration that I need, but you’re such a great negotiator!” Daniel, best wishes.
The Polish-born MP also added, “Promise that you will press for good remuneration for me too… It is necessary to cover school fees.
Kawczynski stated that he felt disillusioned by Westminster politics, and suggested that he might one day wish to serve as Britain’s ambassador in Riyadh.
The 49-year old asked for assistance in finding work and said: “Ideally, I’m looking for a consulting (on a monthly basis) as I require stability and regular income.
M. Kawczynski was not able to find work in Saudi Arabia, despite the WhatsApp messages.
Since 2018, he has earned more than £250,000 from a second job with a New York-based mining company.
Commons standards have already been initiated into Mr Kawczynski.
Malgré the WhatsApp messages, it seems that Mr Kawczynski was not able to find work in Saudi Arabia.
The MP had to apologize earlier this year after Kathryn Stone, Standards Commissioner, found him guilty for bullying.
After ranting at staffers in Parliament when they couldn’t attend a virtual meeting, and making baseless complaints when drunk about them afterwards,
However, he confessed that he didn’t mean to apologize and was simply trying to keep the House from being suspended.
Miss Stone is investigating Mr Kawczynski for his June insincere speech to the Commons.
The Guardian was told by a spokesperson for Mr Kawczynski that the politician had “broken no rules in regards to second jobs and, most importantly, he prioritizes work as MP Shrewsbury or Atcham”.