Parliament & Politics: Neill faces questioning by MPs over Porter case
PUBLIC LIFE
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LORD NEILL, the public standards watchdog, will still face questioning by MPs - despite his decision not to represent the former Westminster council leader Dame Shirley Porter in the Court of Appeal.
The Commons' Public Administration Committee (PAC) yesterday wrote to him over the potential conflict of interest in his earlier decision to act for Dame Shirley. On Tuesday, Lord Neill, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, withdrew from acting for Dame Shirley in her battle against a pounds 27m surcharge in the Westminster "homes-for-votes" affair.
But last night, the PAC chairman and Labour MP Rhodri Morgan revealed that his committee had gone ahead with its decision to quiz the peer about his involvement in the case. Mr Morgan said a letter had been sent to Lord Neill yesterday.
He warned that his committee reserved the right to ask Lord Neill to answer questions in person if MPs were not happy with his answer to the letter.
Mr Morgan said: "We want to be absolutely clear in our own minds that the general public can now be reassured that the integrity of Lord Neill and his ability to carry on the work as Lord Nolan's successor on the Committee on Standards in Public Life has not been compromised."
The PAC had originally decided to ask Lord Neill for an explanation - before MPs knew that he had withdrawn from the case.
But only a few minutes after they had taken the decision in private session, the peer issued a statement announcing his withdrawal.
He cited a "perceived" conflict between his role as lawyer and his position as chairman of the standards committee. But his statement also revealed that he had already acted for Dame Shirley in obtaining leave for her to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Mr Morgan said the original letter agreed by the committee had been amended to take account of the new developments. But he said that MPs wanted to know "what is his personal view of the perceived conflict of interest now that he has decided to drop the case".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments