Vaz attacks Filkin's 'flawed inquiries'

Keith Vaz launched a tirade of criticism yesterday at the way MPs were investigated over sleaze allegations, and accused the former watchdog Elizabeth Filkin of conducting flawed inquiries and talking to the media.

The former minister for Europe, who was suspended from the House of Commons for failing to co-operate with a formal inquiry into his business affairs, said procedures operating under Mrs Filkin were "patchy and piecemeal" and led to unreliable judgments.

Mr Vaz, who was giving evidence to the Wicks Committee on Standards in Public Life, said MPs' reputations were tarnished by judgments based on a "flawed and arbitrary process".

He said that many complaints were brought by "bitter and defeated ex-rivals of members, members of the opposition – in fact anyone who has a grudge".

He added: "In addition, complaints have been accepted without appropriate screening from bankrupts seeking revenge against former employers who also know the member, and from people who are mentally ill and the subject of secure accommodation orders."

Mr Vaz had a stormy relationship with Elizabeth Filkin, the former parliamentary commissioner for standards, who completed two damning reports into his conduct. Yesterday he blamed her for talking to the press. "The commissioner should not have a relationship with the press. The commissioner should not speak to the press about a complaint. It is a post of integrity and there should be no communication of any kind," he said.

Mr Vaz also said standards commissioners should have to publish their interests in a public register "in order to avoid the appearance of bias or assumptions of prejudicial interpretations of evidence".