Two Peers Hit With Bans for Lobbying and Financial Missteps Case

Richard Dannatt and Labour peer Lord David Evans | Picture courtesy of BBC

Two members of the House of Lords, Lord Richard Dannatt and Lord David Evans of Watford, are facing suspension after breaching parliamentary rules. Lord Dannatt will be suspended for four months, while Lord Evans faces a five-month suspension for engaging in activities linked to financial incentives. The decision follows a probe initiated by the House of Lords' standards watchdog after an undercover operative from the Guardian newspaper.

The exposé revealed that Lord Dannatt, a former Army chief, had written to ministers and officials regarding three companies in which he held financial interests. Meanwhile, Lord Evans, a Labour peer, was found guilty of sponsoring parliamentary events for a company owned by his son, in which he had a substantial stake. Both lords admitted their faults without contesting the findings or penalties from the standards commissioner.

The investigation revealed that Lord Dannatt expressed his willingness to lobby the government on behalf of journalists posing as business representatives. The commission found him in breach of policies requiring members to act solely in the public interest, despite the absence of any confirmed lobbying or payments. Lord Dannatt accepted his mistakes, citing his ignorance while emphasising his lifelong public service.

Lord Evans, however, claimed he didn't know he owned Affinity shares, thinking they were passed to his son. Despite a clean record, the commission recommended a suspension due to the severity of the breaches. Evans expressed regret over the situation and maintained that he was unaware of any wrongdoing during his tenure in Parliament, reported the BBC.

Key Takeaways:

• Lords Dannatt and Evans face suspensions for rule breaches related to parliamentary services.
• Dannatt linked to companies with financial interests; Evans sponsored events for a relative's company.
• Both peers admitted their actions, leading to no appeals against sanctions.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-25