Policing standards in the Commons

Three former ministers have been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party "for bringing it into disrepute" over their apparent willingness to help a lobbying firm in return for cash.

Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon were secretly filmed by the Channel 4 programme Dispatches, but deny any wrong-doing and insist they did not break parliamentary rules.

Meanwhile, a BBC investigation has uncovered hundreds of breaches of parliamentary rules by MPs who accepted free overseas trips from foreign governments but did not declare them in questions or debates.

So, how is MPs' behaviour policed? And what happens if someone suspects rules have been breached?

Lobbying

The public life of an MP is governed by a code of conduct which provides each member with guidance on the standards expected during the course of their parliamentary duties.

As part of this code, MPs are required to register a wide range of financial interests that are relevant to their parliamentary work.

PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC OFFICE The Committee on Standards in Public Life expects all those in public office to show: Selflessness Integrity Objectivity Accountability Openness Honesty Leadership

While they are within their rights to accept payment as directors and enjoy gifts, hospitality and overseas trips, there are strict rules barring "paid advocacy", or lobbying, on behalf of businesses or foreign countries.

The code of conduct states that paid advocacy is "wholly incompatible with the rule that any member should take payment for speaking in the House".

However, the code also allows MPs to judge for themselves "whether a financial interest is sufficiently relevant to a particular debate, proceeding, meeting or other activity to require a declaration".

In the event that someone suspects an MP has breached the rules, they can report this to the independent Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards - currently John Lyon.

Then, if the commissioner believes there is evidence to support a breach, he may decide the matter can be simply resolved.

Ministerial complaints

In cases where MPs have failed to declare an interest, they can apologise to the House through a point of order.

Alternatively, the commissioner can report his conclusions to the MPs on the Committee on Standards and Privileges .

MPs essentially police their own behaviour

The committee may then make recommendations to the Commons on whether further action is required

In the case of complaints against ministers, if the prime minister thinks an investigation is necessary, he can ask Sir Philip Mawer, the independent adviser on ministerial interests, to launch an inquiry.

And in the House of Lords, where members have their own code of conduct and register of interests, there is a separate complaints procedure in the event of suspected rule breaches.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Standards in Public Life , an independent advisory body to the government, monitors, reports and makes recommendations on all issues relating to standards in public life - including that of MPs.

Last year it held a review of the system of MPs' expenses, and called for its recommendations to be implemented from the beginning of the next Parliament.

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