A former British Army leader has been hit with a four-month suspension from the House of Lords for violating lobbying regulations. Lord Dannatt, who previously held the position of Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009, was found to have breached rules regarding offering parliamentary services in exchange for “payment or reward.” He was caught on camera by undercover journalists posing as businessmen, offering to arrange meetings with government ministers for a fictitious property development company.
Lord Dannatt voluntarily reported himself to the ethics watchdog, which discovered additional instances of him contacting ministers or government officials on behalf of companies in which he had a financial interest. Despite no financial transactions taking place, the investigation revealed that Lord Dannatt displayed a willingness to engage in activities that could be interpreted as providing paid parliamentary services. Following the recommendations of the independent Commissioner for Standards, the Lords Conduct Committee upheld the findings and imposed a four-month suspension on Lord Dannatt.
In response, Lord Dannatt expressed regret over the Commissioner’s findings and acknowledged the need to accept the appropriate penalty without contesting it. He admitted that his actions, though motivated by a sense of national interest, violated the Code of Conduct, emphasizing the importance of adhering to ethical standards despite personal motivations. Lord Dannatt emphasized the ongoing opportunity for learning and growth, reflecting on his extensive public service career spanning over five decades.
Additionally, Lord Evans of Watford received a five-month suspension for breaching lobbying regulations by offering access to ministers in exchange for personal gain. The Labour peer was accused of facilitating “cash for access” to undercover journalists representing a company owned by his son. Investigations revealed that Lord Evans, as a shareholder in the company, failed to uphold his personal integrity when promising introductions to MPs. Furthermore, he was found to have sponsored events at the House of Lords on behalf of the company and breached event regulations by promoting tickets above their actual cost.
Both suspensions are pending approval by the House of Lords before taking effect. Neither peer opted to appeal against the findings or the suggested sanctions.