Corruption charges shake House of Lords

In a blow to the credibility of the House of Lords, four Labour peers have been accused of seeking changes to legislation in return for payment.

The legitimacy of the House of Lords relies on it serving its purpose with "unimpeachable integrity", says The Times. "That is why the allegations against four Labour peers, that they willingly sought changes to legislation in return for payment, are so serious." Reporters from The Sunday Times posing as lobbyists acting for a fictitious business claim that Lords Moonie, Snape, Taylor and Truscott were all ready to take cash ranging from £24,000 to £120,000 in exchange for help. Baroness Royall, leader of the House of Lords, immediately opened an investigation.

For now, allegations is all they are, says The Times. But if it turns out they're true, the four are clearly in the wrong. The Code of Conduct of the House of Lords has an "emphatic instruction" that its members "must not vote on any Bill or motion, or ask any question in the house or a committee, or promote any matter, in return for payment or any other material benefit".

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