House of Lords Commissioner for Standards

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There are currently two House of Lords Commissioners for Standards, officers of the United Kingdom House of Lords. When the post was created in 2010 there was a single commissioner who was "responsible for the independent and impartial investigation of alleged breaches of the House of Lords Code of Conduct". Duties of the Commissioners include investigating potential misuse of expenses and parliamentary facilities.[1] Members' opinions, or the way they express themselves, do not fall within the scope of the code.[2]

The current Commissioners are Martin Jelley QPM and Akbar Khan.[3]

Past commissioners

Investigations

Reports by the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards
Name of Peer Date Allegation Result
Lord Richards of Herstmonceux
 February 2017 Minor breach (non-declaration of relevant interest) Complaint upheld. Formal apology to Sub-Committee on Lords’ Conduct
Lord Tope
 February 2019 Improper use of House of Lords facilities Complaint dismissed
Lord Barker of Battle February 2019 Payment for providing parliamentary advice or services

Paid advocacy on behalf of Russian companies

Complaints dismissed
Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Lord Hain April 2019 Violation of the sub judice resolution

Paid advocacy Abuse of parliamentary privilege by naming Philip Green

Complaint dismissed
Lord Singh of Wimbledon
 April 2019 Non-registration and non-declaration of a relevant interest Complaint upheld. Formal apology to Sub-Committee on Lords’ Conduct
Lord Deben
 June 2019 Inaccurate descriptions of interests

Non-declaration of relevant interests

Complaints dismissed
Baroness Meacher
 June 2019 Non-declaration of relevant interest (Chair of Dignity in Dying) Complaint upheld. Formal apology to Sub-Committee on Lords’ Conduct.
Lord Stone of Blackheath
 October 2019 Harassment (Sexual and transphobic) Complaint upheld. Required to take bespoke training to cover the incidents
Lord Black of Brentwood
 December 2019 Insufficient description of the role of company

Failure to declare relevant interest

Complaints upheld.
  • Required to amend company description
  • Formal apology to the Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct
Lord Lea of Crondall
 January 2020 Harassment and discrimination based on age and sex Complaint upheld. Required to take bespoke training to cover the incidents
Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington
 February 2020 Failure to declare nature of consultancy work performed by one of Lord Stevens' companies

Failure to declare company that Lord Stevens held significant control over

Complaints upheld.
  • Required to correct register of interests
  • Formal apology to the Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct
Baroness Meacher
 June 2020 Improper of House of Lords stationary on non-parliamentary activity (Dignity in Dying) Complaint upheld. Formal apology to Sub-Committee on Lords’ Conduct.
Lord Smith of Kelvin
 June 2020 Failure to declare companies of which Lord Smith is a Director. Complaints upheld.
  • Required to correct register of interests
  • Formal apology to the Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct
Lord Adonis
 June 2020 Failure to declare his interest as Non-Executive Director of HS2 Ltd

Failure to declare a non-financial interest and advisory board position in the member's register of interests

Complaints upheld.
  • Required to correct register of interests
  • Formal apology to the Sub-Committee on Lords' Conduct
Participation in the High Speed Rail (London–West Midlands) Bill without making relevant declarations Complaint dismissed.
Lord Stone of Blackheath
 July 2020 Harassment and discrimination based on religion, age and sex Complaints upheld.
  • Required to continue attending training courses
  • Referral to the Lords' Standards Committee for further potential sanctions
Lord Lea of Crondall
 August 2020 Bullying Complaints upheld.
  • Required to continue attending training courses
  • Written apology to the victim
Mr. Benedict Rich(Staff of
Lord Lansley
) 		October 2020 Not specifying the consultancy work done in the register of interests. Complaints upheld. Required to correct register of interest.
Use of position in the House of Lords for the purpose of lobbying Complaint dismissed.
Lord Ahmed
 November 2020 Sexual misconduct

Racism

The Committee recommended expulsion from the House of Lords. Lord Ahmed resigned prior to any sanctions being given.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lords Commissioner". parliament website. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Houses of Lords standards commissioner dismisses complaint against Lord Kilclooney". The Irish News. December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "UK Parliament: House of Lords appoints new Commissioners for Standards". Retrieved 8 November 2021.
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