Peter Truscott, Baron Truscott

Last updated

In January 2009 Truscott was the subject of corruption allegations in the Sunday Times , along with three of his Labour colleagues. He was accused of seeking a £72,000 fee to help two people posing as lobbyists "amend a government bill that was harmful to their client", saying he would have to "be a ‘bit careful’ and could not table the amendment himself." He also claimed to have "done similar work before" on a recent piece of energy legislation, [1] and met officials from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform shortly before the Government changed its policy in a manner favourable to his client, Landis & Gyr. [21] His response to the BBC was: "to suggest I would offer to put down amendments for money is a lie". [22] It was subsequently alleged that he had lobbied UK energy Minister Malcolm Wicks without declaring his financial interests. [23]

Following the publication of the allegations, and video and audio tape of Truscott talking to under-cover Sunday Times reporters, he was forced to resign a consultancy for Landis & Gyr [24] and was suspended from his consultancy for Gavin Anderson and Company. [23] He resigned his directorship of African Minerals in August 2009, [25] retaining a remunerated role as a strategic consultant. [20] Both Opus Executive Partners and Gulf Keystone decided not to suspend or remove Truscott despite considerable pressure from the media to do so, both citing valuable contribution and integrity in his involvement with them.

The Lords Privileges Committee subsequently recommended (on 14 May) that Lord Truscott be suspended from the House. The investigation into the allegations concluded Lord Truscott had broken rules on exercising parliamentary influence in return for money by agreeing to "smooth the way" for lobbyists, make introductions to other peers and ministers and to lobby officials. In a BBC interview on 14 May, Lord Truscott stated that "I apologise for being entrapped and for using loose language". On 20 May the House of Lords considered the Privileges Committee report and voted to suspend Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn for six months, the first such action since the 17th century. [26]

In May 2009, it was alleged that the small flat in Bath that Lord Truscott calls his main residence was unoccupied and looked deserted. [27] Classifying this flat as his main residence had entitled him to claim an annual £28,000 per year public subsidy of his £700,000 Mayfair flat, [3] amounting to £125,000 over four years. [28]

He resigned from the Labour Party in May 2009, [29] and now sits as a non-affiliated member of the House of Lords.

Bibliography

See also

Arms

The Right Honourable
The Lord Truscott
Official portrait of Lord Truscott crop 2, 2022.jpg
Official portrait, 2022
Lord-in-Waiting
Government Whip
In office
28 June 2007 –17 October 2007
Coat of arms of Peter Truscott, Baron Truscott
Adopted
2008
Coronet
Coronet of a Baron
Crest
A demi double-headed Eagle displayed Sable holding in each beak Or a Quill Argent spined Or
Escutcheon
Sable two Pallets nebuly Argent between six pairs of Keys bows interlaced the three in chief wards downwards and outwards those in base wards upwards and outwards Or
Supporters
On the dexter side a Bear Or gorged with a Coronet Argent in the mouth a Rose Or slipped and leaved Argent on the sinister a Lion Or gorged with a Coronet Argent in the mouth a Sprig of Birch also Argent
Motto
COGITA PISCEM
Badge
A Sailfish embowed Argent issuing from the beak a Line reflexed across the body Or
Symbolism
The Arms are based on those of Exeter College, Oxford, which have been blazoned as Argent two Bends nebuly within a Bordure Sable charged with eight pairs of Keys endorsed and interlaced in the rings Or. Russia and England are reflected in the Supporters, the grantee's wife being of Russian origin. Russia is again reflected with the double-headed eagle and the Caribbean with the sailfish Badge

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Lords</span> Upper house of the UK Parliament

The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the lower house, the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. One of the oldest institutions in the world, its origins lie in the early 11th century and the emergence of bicameralism in the 13th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock</span> British politician (born 1942)

George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of CumnockPC is a British politician and life peer who served as Minister of State for Scotland from 2001 to 2002. A member of Scottish Labour and the Co-operative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, formerly South Ayrshire, from 1979 to 2005. He was later a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), as one of the additional members for the Lothians region, from 2007 to 2011.

Lewis George Moonie, Baron Moonie is a British politician. He was the Labour Co-operative Member of Parliament (MP) for Kirkcaldy from 1987 to 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Lords Act 1999</span> UK law removing hereditary peerage from the House of Lords

The House of Lords Act 1999 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed the House of Lords, one of the chambers of Parliament. The Act was given Royal Assent on 11 November 1999. For centuries, the House of Lords had included several hundred members who inherited their seats ; the Act removed such a right. However, as part of a compromise, the Act allowed ninety-two hereditary peers to remain in the House. Another ten were created life peers to enable them to remain in the House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon</span> British politician and life peer (born 1959)

Angela Evans Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon,, is a British politician and life peer serving as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal since 2024. A member of the Labour and Co-operative Parties, she was Member of Parliament (MP) for Basildon from 1997 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manzila Uddin, Baroness Uddin</span> British politician life peer (born July 1959)

Manzila Pola Uddin, Baroness Uddin is a British non-affiliated life peer and community activist of Bangladeshi descent. In 2009 she was included on The Guardian's Muslim Women Power List for Britain. She previously sat for Labour when, in 2012, Uddin was required to repay £125,349, the largest amount in the United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Triesman, Baron Triesman</span> British Labour politician and merchant banker

David Maxim Triesman, Baron Triesman is a British politician, merchant banker and former trade union leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Snape</span> British politician (born 1942)

Peter Charles Snape, Baron Snape is a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. He served as Member of Parliament (MP) for West Bromwich East from February 1974 until he stood down in the 2001 election. He is the former chairman of his hometown football club, Stockport County, as well as being a major shareholder in the club at the time. Lord Snape became Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Speedway Racing in July 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury</span> British politician (born 1946)

Robert Michael James Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury, Baron Gascoyne-Cecil, is a British Conservative politician. From 1979 to 1987 he represented South Dorset in the House of Commons, and in the 1990s he was Leader of the House of Lords under his courtesy title of Viscount Cranborne. Lord Salisbury lives in one of England's largest historic houses, the 17th-century Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, and currently serves as Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Browne, Baron Browne of Madingley</span> British businessman (born 1948)

Edmund John Phillip Browne, Baron Browne of Madingley, is a British businessman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed</span> British politician (born 1957)

Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed is a former Labour politician and convicted sex offender. He was appointed a life peer in 1998 by the Labour Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Gueterbock, 18th Baron Berkeley</span> Member of the House of Lords (born 1939)

Anthony Fitzhardinge Gueterbock, 18th Baron Berkeley, Baron Gueterbock,, otherwise known as Tony Berkeley, is a British aristocrat and Labour parliamentarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony's Cronies</span> Pejorative phrase against Tony Blair

"Tony's Cronies" was a term in British politics and media given to people who were viewed as being given positions of power because of their personal friendships with Prime Minister Tony Blair, during his premiership between 1997 and 2007. These included those granted life peerages and public positions based on their friendship with Blair rather than their individual merits. The phrase was created by the Conservative Party following the 1997 general election and was continually used in the media throughout Blair's premiership.

David Edward Lea, Baron Lea of Crondall, OBE is a British former trade unionist and Labour politician.

Lobbying in the United Kingdom plays a significant role in the formation of legislation and a wide variety of commercial organisations, lobby groups "lobby" for particular policies and decisions by Parliament and other political organs at national, regional and local levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Taylor, Baron Taylor of Blackburn</span> Businessman and politician

Thomas Taylor, Baron Taylor of Blackburn, was a businessman and Labour politician. He was a member of Blackburn Council for 22 years, serving as its leader from 1972 to 1976. In 1978, he became a member of the House of Lords. In 2009, he was suspended from the House, along with Baron Truscott, as a result of the cash for influence scandal, the first peers to be suspended since the 17th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 cash for influence scandal</span>

The 2009 cash for influence scandal was a political scandal in the United Kingdom in 2009 concerning four Labour Party Life Peers offering to help make amendments to legislation for up to £120,000. The Lords Privileges Committee recommended the two men be suspended from the House for up to six months after an investigation into allegations made against four Labour peers. Lord Taylor of Blackburn was suspended as a Labour Party member pending the investigation while Lord Truscott quit the party. On 20 May, the House of Lords considered the report of the Privileges Committee and voted to suspend Lord Taylor and Lord Truscott for six months.

In the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament (MPs) can be suspended from sitting in the House of Commons by the Speaker for "disorderly conduct". The Speaker can order an MP removed from the house until the end of the day. The speaker more often "names" an MP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rupert Mitford, 6th Baron Redesdale</span> British hereditary peer and Liberal Democrat politician

Rupert Bertram Mitford, 6th Baron Redesdale, Baron Mitford, is a British hereditary peer, Liberal Democrat politician and member of the prominent Mitford family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Fox, Baron Fox</span> British Liberal Democrat Politician

Christopher Francis Fox, Baron Fox, is a British Liberal Democrat politician.

References

  1. 1 2 "Whispered over tea and cake: price for a peer to fix the law". Sunday Times. London. 25 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2010. he agreed to help them amend a government bill that was harmful to their client, in return for cash. He said he had done similar work before. He said he had intervened on the Energy Bill — a piece of legislation he had been responsible for as a minister only months earlier.
  2. 1 2 "Your MEPs: Peter TRUSCOTT". European Parliament. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  3. 1 2 Insight Team (8 February 2009). "'Peer for hire' Lord Truscott grabs £70,000 housing perk". London: The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "No police inquiry for former Colchester councillor". Harwich & Manningtree Standard. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
  5. ↑ Kimber, Richard. "UK General Election results April 1992". Political Science Resources. Keele University . Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  6. ↑ "Profile: Peers in cash row". BBC. 25 January 2009.
  7. ↑ "No. 57325". The London Gazette . 15 June 2004. p. 7434.
  8. ↑ "Peter Truscott – DTI". Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  9. ↑ "World Energy Source: Author Detail". World Energy Source. Loomis Publishing Services, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  10. ↑ "McCloskey Coal UK Annual Conference 2007". 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2009. While the Energy Minister may change, the message doesn't: and that message is that the Government firmly believes that coal will continue to have a significant role as part of a diverse, balanced energy supply portfolio for the UK.
  11. ↑ Hansen, James (10 September 2008). "Expert witness testimony at climate-change–related trial in Kent" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2009. Construction of new coal-fired power plants makes it unrealistic to hope for the prompt phase-out of coal emissions and thus makes it practically impossible to avert climate disasters for today's young people and future generations.
  12. ↑ "Lord Truscott compared to 'Climate Change Bill – Strengthen'". Public Whip. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  13. ↑ "Lord Truscott compared to 'Identity cards – For introduction'". Public Whip. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  14. ↑ "Peer puzzled as to why nuclear war with Russia would be 'unwelcome outcome'". The National. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Peter Truscott – Speaker Profile". London Speaker Bureau. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  16. ↑ "Lobbying for the Kremlin". Evening Standard. London. 30 July 2008.
  17. ↑ "House of Lords, Register of Lords' Interests". House of Lords. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  18. 1 2 "Director purchase of shares". Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 29 September 2008.
  19. ↑ Code of conduct for members of the House of Lords (PDF), House of Lords, March 2010, retrieved 23 May 2010
  20. 1 2 Register of Lords interests, House of Lords, 17 May 2010, retrieved 23 May 2010
  21. ↑ Robert Winnett & Gordon Rayner (30 January 2009). "Lords fiasco: Lord Truscott's meetings with minister and officials". London: Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
  22. ↑ "Police 'should probe Lords case'". BBC. 25 January 2009.
  23. 1 2 "Archer and Black to be ousted from Lords: Seven more peers face expulsion". London: Sunday Times. 1 February 2009. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
  24. ↑ Watt, Nicholas (29 January 2009). "Lord Truscott stands down as energy company adviser". Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  25. ↑ "Change of Directors". African Minerals Ltd. 19 August 2009. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009.
  26. ↑ "Lords vote to suspend two peers". BBC News. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  27. ↑ Insight Team (10 May 2009). "Peers fail to keep their houses in order". London: Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  28. ↑ Insight Team (10 May 2009). "Peer claimed £130,000 for mother's bungalow". London: Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  29. ↑ McSmith, A. (15 May 2009). "Labour Lords: Bribery peers get six-month suspension" . Independent newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  30. ↑ "IPPR publications". IPPR. 11 January 2000. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010.
  31. ↑ "Whitehall Papers". Royal United Services Institute. 2006. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  32. ↑ "Publications". Royal United Services Institute. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by Gentlemen
Baron Truscott		Followed by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.