Watchdog hires PR firm to improve its image

The House of Commons Commission, which was embroiled in controversy over its failure to reappoint Elizabeth Filkin, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has hired a PR firm to improve its image.

The parliamentary body, chaired by the Commons Speaker, Michael Martin, has taken on John Stonborough, who runs a PR company that specialises in "fire-fighting" controversial media stories. The committee's decision to seek outside public relations advice will be widely interpreted as an attempt to improve a reputation badly tarnished by the Filkin affair.

The commission was little known outside of Westminster before it decided not to reappoint Ms Filkin and told her that she would have to reapply for her own job.

Members of the commission accused Ms Filkin of leaking a letter she wrote to Mr Martin in which said she was the victim of a whispering campaign by MPs. Ms Filkin also claimed that the Speaker had refused to meet her to discuss her concerns.

Mr Stonborough, a respected former TV and radio journalist, has been hired for an undisclosed sum to provide part-time strategic advice on how to handle the departure of Ms Filkin next month, as well as guidance on other issues.