LONDON — Parliament’s standards watchdog launched an investigation into Conservative Party Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson after he filmed a promotional video for his own television show in the Houses of Parliament.
The parliamentary commissioner for standards — which polices MP conduct — is investigating whether the MP for Ashfield broke the parliamentary code of conduct by filming the video pushing his GB News show on parliament’s roof terrace.
The potential breach is being investigated under paragraph 8 of MP code of conduct. It states: “Excepting modest and reasonable personal use, Members must ensure that the use of facilities and services provided to them by Parliament, including an office, is in support of their parliamentary activities, and is in accordance with all relevant rules.”
Reacting to the video at the time of its publication, a House of Commons spokesperson told the Guardian that: “Unauthorized photography or filming is not permitted on the parliamentary estate,” and said that “Where it is seen or reported to be happening, the individual in question will be asked to stop and reminded of the rules.”
GB News announced in March that the MP for Ashfield would be hosting his own TV show. His entry on the register of MPs’ interests shows that the network pays him an annual fee of £100,000 a year for eight hours a week of work.
Anderson has yet to respond to a request for comment.
