Jess Phillips Under Standards Investigation Again for Failing to Register Interests

[Social Media]

 

Home Office Minister Jess Phillips is once again under scrutiny from Parliament's standards watchdog, marking the third investigation into her conduct in as many years. The latest inquiry centers on her failure to register an interest within the mandated 28-day period, as required by Commons rules.  

 

This ongoing issue with timely declarations follows a pattern for Phillips. In May 2022, she was found to have registered income from public speaking, television appearances, writing, and book royalties late on 18 separate occasions. The parliamentary commissioner for standards characterized these as “inadvertent” breaches of the rules.  

 

In 2023, Phillips was referred to the Commons Standards Committee after she registered payment for a lecture at the University of Bristol two days after the 28-day deadline. While this was described as a “minor breach,” particularly since she had attempted to meet the deadline, it was referred to the committee because it occurred soon after the conclusion of the prior investigation.  

 

The committee ultimately decided to take no further action against Phillips, but the standards commissioner had expressed frustration, stating that a “casual attitude” toward registering interests is “unacceptable.”  

 

At present, there are four open investigations into sitting MPs for allegedly breaching Commons rules, including Phillips. Labour MP Clive Lewis and Conservative MP Danny Kruger are also being investigated for issues related to the registration of interests, while DUP MP Sammy Wilson faces allegations of failing to declare an interest when asking a parliamentary question.  

 

Former MPs Andrew Bridgen and Bob Stewart remain under investigation for similar matters, with their cases originating before the most recent general election.  

 

MPs are barred from commenting on ongoing investigations by the standards commissioner, leaving Phillips unable to publicly address the latest inquiry. Despite previous findings of minor breaches, the repeated failures to meet registration deadlines have cast a shadow over her adherence to parliamentary standards.  

 

This latest development raises questions about accountability and transparency among MPs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Commons rules to maintain public trust in Parliament.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-28

 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

A right smug Kwai if ever I saw one

[shackleton]

Most of  them are only interested in filling their pockets 💰 

Instead of representing their Constitutes  who voted for them 

[portisaacozzy]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

A right smug Kwai if ever I saw one

most pobable done more in her life so far than you will ever do, dont realy understand why you dislike women !

[mokwit]

Labour sleeze.

[Red Forever]

56 minutes ago, shackleton said:

Most of  them are only interested in filling their pockets 💰 

Instead of representing their Constitutes  who voted for them 

No shackleton. You're thinking of the previous administration many of whom are currently being investigated for the handing of COVID contracts to their donors and cronies.

BTW Jess seems to be a good constituency MP who looks after the interests of her "Constitutes" (sic).

[RayC]

18 hours ago, mokwit said:

Labour sleeze.

 

Phillips should adhere to the timescales set by parliament, but do you have any evidence to suggest that this is any more than another late-filing misdemeanor?