Boris Johnson’s problems with the sleaze have intensified today as another wave of claims and allegations surrounds a Tory vicechair who quit his post in protest.
As the party’s frenzy continues to sweep it, the PM may have abandoned plans to host a Chequers Cabinet away-day tomorrow.
Andrew Bowie has been confirmed by the Conservatives as having resigned from his role of vice-chair. While a spokesperson claimed that Bowie wanted to concentrate on Scotland, friends have reported that he told them he couldn’t support the government in light of Owen Paterson’s debacle.
The crisis shows no sign of easing today, with former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox coming under more fire over his £1million-a-year legal work.
Video footage has surfaced that appears to show an eminent QC representing British Virgin Islands in a fraud commission via video link from his Commons Office.
Labour called for a standards investigation, but ministers admit that they are against the rules when using parliamentary facilities to perform work.
Johnson will also have to attend a 4.30pm press conference, which Johnson had planned on holding in order for him to concentrate on the progress of the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow.
Boris Johnson (left), facing new sleaze accusations against Tories. The party confirmed that Andrew Bowie, right, had resigned from his position as vice chair
Sir Geoffrey Cox is being referred by the Commons standards Tsar to be investigated over allegations that he broke Commons Rules using his parliamentary office for legal advice to British Virgin Islands
Since it was revealed that Sir Geoffrey had traveled to the British Virgin Islands in January for legal work, he has been absent from public life. He was voting by proxy at Westminster and not seen since. While there’s no indication that Geoffrey broke the rules, questions have been raised about his loyalty to his MP duties.
Sources within Tory indicate that Mr Bowie would still be able to hold the position of vice-chair if he decides to come back.
But a friend told the Reaction website: “He doesn’t want to make a fuss but he’s unable to support the government after the events of recent days.’
An SNP surge has resulted in a small majority for the MP representing West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. He holds the seat by 843 votes.
Following a 19 point swing in favour of the Tories, Bowie received a majority almost 8000 when he was elected for his first time.
The premier is in chaos yet again
- The MPs were faced with a crackdown against second jobs. There was the possibility of rules that would limit working hours or ban lobbying firms from being employed.
- Metropolitan Police stated that they are ‘considering” calls for information to examine ‘cash-for-honors’ claims relating to Tory donations to the Lords.
- In an effort to shift the news agenda from lies, the PM is returning to Cop26’s climate change summit.
- Following revelations that Sir Keir starmer was an MP who had paid for advice from a law firm registered as a lobbyist, it became clear that he hypocrisied.
- No 10 claimed that Parliament will be invited to examine the failed attempts of Prime Minister Tony Blair to dismantle anti-sleaze regulations next week.
Sir Geoffrey visited the Caribbean in May, June and June of this year. He also participated in Commons votes via proxy from abroad.
The footage has been updated to show him at his Commons office, London. He appears to then be performing his second task: giving legal advice about the British Virgin Islands.
The MPs shouldn’t use taxpayer-funded office spaces for work in parliament.
Rebukes have been heavy directed at the ex-Minister of Cabinet following allegations that he worked in the Caribbean tax haven
Sir Geoffrey, when he was contacted by The Times on October 13, 2009, did not deny that he had done legal work in the office.
Angela Rayner (Deputy Labour leader) said that the incident was “an egregious brazen breaching of rules” and she has written Kathryn Stone, standards commissioner Kathryn Stone, asking for guidance on how to begin a formal investigation.
In her letter, Ms Rayner stated that MP’s code was clear that representatives must ensure that any facilities or services received from the public purse are ‘always in support of their legislative duties’ and that they’shouldn’t confer any… financial advantage on themselves.
According to media reports, she added that the member had clearly violated this rule.
“Members should be aware that the estate cannot be used for personal financial gain. If there’s a clear conflict with the public interest they will face severe consequences.”
He appears to be doing his second job while he is based at his London Commons office.
The most recent register of financial interests showed that Torridge and West Devon MP Sir Geoffrey will earn more than £800,000 from Withers, an international law firm appointed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI) government in January.
Sir Geoffrey also disclosed in the register that from September 28 this year until further notice, he will be paid £400,000 a year by Withers for up to 41 hours of work per month.
On September 14th, Sir Geoffrey was heard telling the Commissioner: “Forgive me for my absence during part of the morning. I’m afraid that the bell went off.”
This bell could refer to the division bell, which sounds across parliament to notify MPs that a vote is taking place.
Sir Geoffrey seems to have left his chair earlier in proceedings at the twenty-minute mark of the video footage.
According to his Commons voting records, he voted personally six times on September 14th in order to pass the Government’s social and health care levy.
Ms Rayner stated that this was an “egregious and brazen” violation of the rules.
“A Conservative MP using an office funded by taxpayers in Parliament to help a tax haven that is facing corruption allegations is insulting to British taxpayers.
“The Parliamentary Commission for Standards should investigate and the Prime Minister must explain why his party has an MP who treats Parliament as a workspace that allows him to continue his work, rather than representing his constituents.
“You could be a MP representing your constituents, or a barrister who works for a tax haven. Boris Johnson must decide which Geoffrey Cox will become.
Liberal Democrats joined the fray, and Wendy Chamberlain, the party’s chief whip, urged the QC not to ‘inspect anyone’ and ‘come clean’.
Ms Chamberlain said: “The true slap in his face is the fact that this happened on the exact same day he voted for a tax increase on millions of hardworking British citizens.”
It comes as Cox was ordered by whips to spend more time in Parliament – as it emerged he made a second trip to a Caribbean tax haven while the Commons was sitting.
After revelations by the Daily Mail regarding his second lucrative job, Mark Spencer, Government Chief Whip, rebuked Spencer.
According to a Government source, Spencer was re-assured that he needed to physically be present at Parliament in order for him represent his constituents.
Sir Geoffrey Cox was ordered to spend more time in Parliament on Tuesday night – as it emerged he made a second trip to a Caribbean tax haven while the Commons was sitting.
Downing Street distanced itself also from Mr Cox. A No10 spokesperson stated that an MP’s “primary job” should be to serve their constituents.
The Mail has learned that Sir Geoffrey went back to the Caribbean to fight corruption in an investigation by the British Foreign Office.
Footage from the inquiry shows that Sir Geoffrey was present in the courtroom where the inquiry was held on the largest of the islands – Tortola – on June 22, when Parliament was sitting in London discussing Covid regulations.
Tuesday also saw the revelation that Sir Geoffrey was forced to declare an interested in 2018. He had voted against stricter anti-money laundering regulations for tax havens, such as Cayman islands. There he supported a former premier from corruption charges. Sir Geoffrey declined to comment to multiple requests.
Mail has learned that Sir Geoffrey went back to the Caribbean to help clear the BVI government from corruption investigation launched by British Foreign Office. Footage from the inquiry shows that Sir Geoffrey was present in the courtroom (bottom left and centre) where the inquiry was held on the largest of the islands – Tortola – on June 22, when Parliament was sitting in London discussing Covid regulations
Yesterday, reporters who visited his West Devon residence were informed that he was “abroad”. Sources within Government claim that the Chief Whip was reprimanded by telephone, suggesting that Sir Geoffrey was not present at Westminster for another day of Parliamentary sittings.
In addition, Sir Geoffrey was found to have voted in Parliament only two times in 13 months. These revelations follow controversy surrounding Boris Johnson’s failed attempt to stop the suspension of Owen Paterson, a former minister who had violated lobbying rules. This is how the row started:
Sir Geoffrey is not accused of breaking the rules in pocketing more than £1million in outside earnings last year on top of his £82,000 MP’s salary.
However, senior Tories privately expressed surprise at his decision not to leave the country for up to one month during the final lockdown to secure a lucrative contract.
According to one source, “It’s very sad that we have to tell MPs they must put the constituents first.”
Labour demanded that an investigation be conducted into Geoffrey’s conduct. He also stated that the Prime Minster should determine whether Sir Geoffrey was either a Caribbean-based barrister, or Conservative MP.
Dominic Raab (Deputy Prime Minister) initially appeared yesterday to defend Sir Geoffrey, declaring that his outside work was legal.
Raab indicated that MPs should have a good knowledge of British overseas territories such as the BVI.
However, anger grew and No 10 distanced itself later from former cabinet minister.
A Downing Street spokesperson said that the Prime Minister thought MP’s primary duty was to serve their constituents, and their interest in Parliament.