A bleak day in the history of the Lords

Lord Strathclyde said it was “a bleak day in the history of the Lords” after the publication of a Privileges Committee report into allegations of gross misconduct against Labour peers.

The Committee recommended ex-trade minister Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn be suspended from the House of Lords for up to six months following accusations that they were willing to change laws in exchange for cash.

Lord Strathclyde, the Conservative Leader in the House of Lords, stressed the seriousness of the allegations demanded an “exhaustive examination” – and he said the Committee’s findings were "clear":  

“The attitudes and actions revealed fell short of what both Parliament and the country is entitled to expect. The sentences proposed are very severe. But they are in my view fully deserved.”

He stressed, “The law must never be for sale to those with the money to buy it – and there must be no suspicion in public minds that it ever could be. That is why I support these findings and will ask the House of Lords to back these sentences next Wednesday.”