Tory fundraiser Lord Fink faces inquiry into Lords dinner for Amex clients
Friday 29 June 2012
Related articles
The Conservative Party treasurer is to face a full Parliamentary inquiry into allegations that he broke anti-sleaze rules.
The Independent and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed earlier this month that Lord Fink, who has given more than £2m to the Tories, sponsored a private dinner in the House of Lords for paying American Express cardholders.
Up to 60 paying guests were due to take part in the money-making dinner as part of the $10,000 Wimbledon Championships package available to AmEx Platinum and Centurion card holders. Under House of Lords rules members cannot sponsor functions designed to make money for private enterprises.
The dinner was cancelled after Lord Fink was contacted by the Bureau.
Lord Fink admitted that he had offered to sponsor the American Express dinner, part of a money-making package for the company. But there was never any possibility of him profiting, he said, and American Express planned to make a charitable donation.
Lords rules state that banqueting facilities "are not to be used for the purposes of direct or indirect financial or material gain by a sponsor... or any other person or outside organisation". Yesterday House of Lords Commissioner for Standards Paul Kernaghan wrote to Labour's shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett to confirm that he was to carry out a full investigation into the breach.
He wrote: "I have now carried out a preliminary assessment of your complaint and have decided that a formal investigation is appropriate. I will in due course submit a report to the House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords conduct. I will ensure that you are advised of the outcome of my investigation."
The House of Lords Committee for Privileges and Conduct, can censure members who are found to have broken the code. Penalties can include a formal reprimand or, in extreme cases, suspension from the House of Lords until the following election.
Mr Trickett said the decision was the right one. "It is vital that Lord Fink's actions are fully investigated in order to uphold the credibility and reputation of Parliament and prevent any potential further breaches of the House of Lords Code of Conduct," he said. "It is vital that this formal investigation provides answers to key questions, in particular whether Lord Fink used his position to provide access to the House of Lords as part of a paid-for corporate package and giving the damaging impression that you can buy access to the House of Lords.
"I hope the Commissioner will use this formal investigation as an opportunity to shine a light on to the hidden and often murky world of business interests in the House of Lords."
The Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Oakshott added: "There is only one way to stop us being a house of donors and cronies and that is election by the people."
-
That's some guestlist! Stunning images show huge dynastic wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families which attracted 25,000 guests
-
Emergency landing at Heathrow sparks further controversy over London airport capacity
-
Two bailed after arrest over Woolwich attack Twitter comments
-
Exclusive: Woolwich killings suspect Michael Adebolajo was inspired by cleric banned from UK after urging followers to behead enemies of Islam
-
Men arrested after RAF jet is scrambled to escort Pakistan Airlines passenger plane to Stansted
- 1 Liam Gallagher slams Daft Punk: 'I could have written Get Lucky in an hour'
- 2 What, let gays get married? We must be bonkers
- 3 'Something passed underneath us, quite close': Airbus A320 has close encounter with UFO
- 4 Lord of the Sings: Sir Christopher Lee, 91, to release heavy metal album
- 5 Two bailed after arrest over Woolwich attack Twitter comments
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Day In a Page
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them






Comments