Labour MP probed over lobbying claims

Another day, another sleaze scandal threatening to engulf one of Westminster’s finest. Labour frontbencher Alex Davies-Jones is being investigated over allegations she breached lobbying rules and thus the MPs’ code of conduct too.

New Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg, who has been in the job a mere matter of weeks, opened an investigation into the Pontypridd MP yesterday afternoon. He will be examining whether Davies-Jones broke ‘paid advocacy’ rules, using her position in parliament to benefit a company from whom she has received payment or gifts. If the shadow culture minister is found guilty, she risks being suspended from the Commons.

According to the Sun, it is understood that Davies-Jones referred herself for investigation for asking a question in the Commons about British Council funding – shortly after taking an all-expensed trip with the organisation to Japan. Labour insiders are reportedly bracing for a ‘minor breach of the lobbying rules.’ Still, long-time readers of Mr Steerpike will be quite familiar with just how much political capital Labour has made of such charges in the past.