Lewis Moonie

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In late-January 2009 The Sunday Times involved Lord Moonie in a classic 'sting operation'. Along with three other Labour peers, Lord Moonie was approached by a reporter. Of the four, Lord Moonie was the only one subsequently cleared by the House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords' Interests.

In the newspaper sting, "Moonie said he would contact Healey and offered to identify people who could put down an amendment." He quoted an annual fee for his assistance of £30,000. Lord Moonie is quoted as saying "I did not agree to amend the legislation. I agreed to seek to help to find a way of trying to amend the legislation." [3]

The House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords' Interests was asked to report on the matter. It found that "on the standard of proof that we have set, we do not find that Lord Moonie expressed a clear willingness to breach the Code by promoting amendments on behalf of lobbyists in return for payment." [4]

The Lords' Privileges Committee considered the sub-committee's report. It published its findings on 14 May 2009. It agreed that Lord Moonie had not breached the code. [5]

Personal life

He married Sheila Ann Burt on 28 December 1971. They have two sons.

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References

  1. retired from house under House of Lords Reform Act 2014
  2. "No. 57685". The London Gazette . 27 June 2005. p. 8317.
  3. Whispered over tea and cake: price for a peer to fix the law, Sunday Times, 25 January 2009
  4. Lords Sub-Committee on Lords Interests Report
  5. The Conduct of Lord Moonie, Lord Snape, Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn Lords Privileges Committee Report

News items

The Lord Moonie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence
In office
31 January 2000 13 June 2003
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Kirkcaldy
19872005
Constituency abolished
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by Gentlemen
Baron Moonie
Followed by
The Lord Smith of Finsbury