Standards Committee

MPs don't have to be saints, says new standards watchdog

Conservative MP Alberto Costa says punishments for breaking minor rules should be less severe.

Veteran Labour figure is chosen by MPs to be the new head of the high-profile Commons committee.

The Commons standards committee makes clear the breach of the rules was minor and unintentional.

Standards committee wants tighter rules to prevent foreign influence on All Party Parliamentary Groups.

The North West Leicestershire MP tells MPs: "I should have been more alert to the rules."

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen was handed the sanction after breaching lobbying rules.

The cross-party committee found Andrew Bridgen had displayed a "very cavalier" attitude to the rules.

The standards committee found he had breached lobbying rules and questioned the watchdog's integrity.

New guidelines say ministers may be asked to apologise or lose pay for breaching standards rules.

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