Two Mersey MPs may face having to fire wives

Jan 31 2008

TWO of the region’s MPs could be forced to fire their wives after Westminster’s latest “sleaze” scandal triggered a call for a ban on employing relatives.

Parliament’s sleaze watchdog suggested the ban might be necessary following the furore over Tory MP Derek Conway, who misused allowances by paying his student sons.

Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the committee for standards in public life, said the issue of MPs employing relatives was “certainly an area which needs review”.

And he added: “This case is undoubtedly a very serious breach of parliamentary rules and further undermines public trust in our politicians.

“I understand why there are calls for rules to ban MPs employing members of their families. Indeed, there are international precedents for doing this and it could be the right thing to do.”

Such a ban would create difficulties for at least two local MPs, who are among around 40 who declare in the Commons register that they pay relatives to work for them.

Andrew Miller, Labour MP for Ellesmore Port and Neston, employs his wife Fran in his constituency office and his cousin Julie at Westminster.

Similarly, Mike Hall, the Weaver Vale Labour MP, pays a salary to his wife Lesley, his office manager in his constituency.

Neither MP is doing anything wrong. They are fully entitled to employ spouses, or other relatives, as long as their “use of allowances is above reproach”.

However, the Conway scandal - the MP is likely to be suspended from the Commons today (Thurs) and will stand down at the next election - may now force a rethink.

Mr Hall could not be contacted, but Mr Miller said: “I don’t think we should make the rules on the assumption that everyone is a rotten apple.

“The vast majority of MPs act with honesty and integrity on financial matters. If anyone wants to come to see what my staff do, they are very welcome to do so.

“The nature of the job create huge stress. Fran and I came to the conclusion that we would understand more of each other’s lives if she came to work for me.”

The Commons register lists Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle as employing his daughter Lucy, but she has since left Westminster for a new life in Australia.

Mr Kelly said he was not certain a ban on MPs was the best way forward, adding that some would see it as a “rather harsh answer to the problem”.

He added: “An alternative approach would be to insist on greater transparency and proper monitoring of existing requirements which is generally better than creating new rules and prohibitions.”

MPs will vote today on whether Mr Conway should pay back £13,161 paid to his son. He also faces a possible police inquiry.