Tory sleaze is back, Labour leader Keir Starmer warned today after a Conservative MP was caught offering to lobby on behalf of gambling investors.
Scott Benton was stripped of the party whip after an undercover investigation found he was prepared to leak market sensitive information to a bogus investment fund and ask parliamentary questions on its behalf, in breach of parliamentary rules.
Asked about the Blackpool South MP's actions, Mr Starmer linked it to a sting last month by campaign group Led By Donkeys.
Speaking in Scunthorpe, he said: "It is not a one-off - only a few weeks ago we saw three other Tory MPs looking after lucrative jobs, thousands of pounds at the time, for their apparent advice.
"I think all of this shows that the Prime Minister has lost a grip and, if ever we needed further evidence this is it, that Tory sleaze is back."
Mr Benton was caught on camera telling undercover reporters from The Times posing as investors how he was willing to take actions which would break Parliament's lobbying rules.
Under those rules, MPs are forbidden from advocating a particular matter in the House or raising it with ministers in return for payment.
They are also prohibited from serving as a paid parliamentary adviser or consultant or guiding firms on ways to influence Parliament.
In a meeting in early March, Mr Benton described how he could support the fund, which he believed was set up by an Indian businessman looking to make investments in the UK betting and gaming sector, by attempting to water down proposed gambling reforms.
It comes as the Government carries out a major review of gambling laws, mulling stricter regulations that could affect operators' profits.
Mr Benton offered a "guarantee" to provide a copy of an upcoming gambling White Paper to the business at least two days before publication - potentially allowing it to benefit from market sensitive information.
He also said he could table parliamentary written questions, claiming he had previously done so for another company.
Mr Benton said he could offer "the direct ear of a minister who is actually going to make these decisions" and speak to them outside the Commons voting lobby.
The MP agreed with a fee proposed by the reporters in the range of £2,000 to £4,000 a month for two days' work.
Transport Minister Richard Holden said today: "This behaviour is totally unacceptable and I am glad that it is now going to be thoroughly investigated, all the claims made, and will be properly looked into."
The body representing lobbyists urged Mr Benton to "consider his position" .
Chartered Institute of Public Relations chief executive Alastair McCapra said: "It is hugely frustrating to read of yet another MP who apparently believes they can use their position to act on behalf of an external body for payment.
“The rules that are in place and the penalties for breaching them are either not clear enough or not tough enough."
In a statement, Mr Benton said: "Last month I was approached by a purported company offering me an expert advisory role.
“I met with two individuals claiming to represent the company to find out what this role entailed.
“After this meeting, I was asked to forward my CV and some other personal details.
“I did not do so as I was concerned that what was being asked of me was not within parliamentary rules.
"I contacted the Commons Registrar and the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner who clarified these rules for me and had no further contact with the company.
“I did this before being made aware that the company did not exist and the individuals claiming to represent it were journalists."
* Follow Mirror Politics on Snapchat, Tiktok, Twitter and Facebook
