The Conservative MP Lee Anderson faces a telling off for using a parliamentary rooftop to film a promotion video for his GB News TV show, with unauthorised photography or filming not permitted on the parliamentary estate.
The serjeant at arms, who is responsible for upholding order in the Commons, will contact Anderson, the Conservative party deputy chairman, over the Twitter footage.
Using Parliament Square and Whitehall as the backdrop, the MP for Ashfield asked viewers to get in touch with their problems for a chance to appear on his weekly show. It was recently revealed he will be paid £100,000 a year by GB News for eight hours’ work a week.
On his debut show last Friday he described Brexit as a “great decision”, interviewed guests such as the former Ukip leader Nigel Farage and spoon-fed his fellow Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith baked beans during a taste test of different brands.
A House of Commons spokesperson said of the promotional video: “Unauthorised photography or filming is not permitted on the parliamentary estate.
“Where it is seen or reported to be happening, the individual in question will be asked to stop and reminded of the rules. Where breaches are observed or reported, the serjeant at arms will discuss with (or write to) the member involved to confirm the rules.”
Separate to rules on filming, the MPs’ code of conduct states: “Excepting modest and reasonable personal use, members must ensure that the use of facilities and services provided to them by parliament, including an office, is in support of their parliamentary activities, and is in accordance with all relevant rules.”
