Babylon
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BREAKING NEWS: Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon suspended from Labour party
Last updated at 10:52 PM on 22nd March 2010
Three former Cabinet ministers have been suspended by the Labour Party over allegations they were prepared to use their position to influence government policy for cash.
Party sources said that Stephen Byers, Geoff Hoon, and Patricia Hewitt had been suspended pending a full investigation.
The decision was said to have been taken by Chief Whip Nick Brown and General Secretary Ray Collins following the screening of tonight's Channel 4 Dispatches documentary.
The three were secretly filmed by an undercover reporter discussing the possibility of working for what they thought was an American lobby company.
The move follows angry scenes at tonight's weekly meeting at Westminster of the Parliamentary Labour Party where a number of MPs demanded action against them.
In the footage, Mr Byers described himself as a 'cab for hire', and apparently requested £5,000 a day, boasting that he had previously secured secret deals with ministers over a rail franchise contract and food labelling on behalf of private companies.
Ms Hewitt and Mr Hoon were filmed suggesting they would charge £3,000 a day for their services. Both have since denied any wrongdoing and insisted they had not breached parliamentary rules.
Mr Byers, who has held major Cabinet portfolios including trade and transport, later retracted his claims and today referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon for an inquiry into his conduct.
The North Tyneside MP, who is standing down at the general election, said he was 'confident' Mr Lyon would clear him of breaching the Westminster code of conduct.
Last updated at 10:52 PM on 22nd March 2010
Three former Cabinet ministers have been suspended by the Labour Party over allegations they were prepared to use their position to influence government policy for cash.
Party sources said that Stephen Byers, Geoff Hoon, and Patricia Hewitt had been suspended pending a full investigation.
The decision was said to have been taken by Chief Whip Nick Brown and General Secretary Ray Collins following the screening of tonight's Channel 4 Dispatches documentary.
'Cab for hire': Stephen Byers is shown in the Channel 4 footage making claims he could lobby on behalf of firms
The three were secretly filmed by an undercover reporter discussing the possibility of working for what they thought was an American lobby company.
The move follows angry scenes at tonight's weekly meeting at Westminster of the Parliamentary Labour Party where a number of MPs demanded action against them.
In the footage, Mr Byers described himself as a 'cab for hire', and apparently requested £5,000 a day, boasting that he had previously secured secret deals with ministers over a rail franchise contract and food labelling on behalf of private companies.
Ms Hewitt and Mr Hoon were filmed suggesting they would charge £3,000 a day for their services. Both have since denied any wrongdoing and insisted they had not breached parliamentary rules.
Allegations: Patricia Hewitt, left, outside her home at the weekend, and Geoff Hoon. They were both filmed suggesting they would charge £3,000 a day to lobby on behalf of companies. They deny any wrongdoing
Mr Byers, who has held major Cabinet portfolios including trade and transport, later retracted his claims and today referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon for an inquiry into his conduct.
The North Tyneside MP, who is standing down at the general election, said he was 'confident' Mr Lyon would clear him of breaching the Westminster code of conduct.
