Commons sleaze watchdog faces 'outrageous' claim of being lenient to get peerage

A Tory MP has come under fire over an extraordinary claim that the Commons sleaze watchdog is seeking a peerage in return for letting corrupt MPs off the hook.

- SIMON WALTERS

Conservative Andrew Bridgen challenged parliamentary standards commissioner Kathryn Stone over the matter in an email. The Leicestershire North West MP told Ms Stone two weeks ago he was "distressed" to have heard there were "advanced plans" to ennoble her for reaching "the right outcomes" in political corruption inquiries.

Mr Bridgen added that he had been told she could get the honour in Boris Johnson's resignation honours list, due to be announced soon. He freely admitted the allegation was "unsubstantiated" and that she may regard it as "offensive" before pressing her to deny it.

Mr Bridgen, who is currently being investigated by Ms Stone over allegations that he broke Commons lobbying rules, confirmed to The Independent that he had sent the email. He said he stood by it - and made a fresh series of provocative comments. "I was told she had been putting it about, looking for an honour," he told this newspaper. "She didn't deny it and merely said she always acts impartially." He said the fact that Ms Stone's five-year contract as standards commissioner ends shortly "means she is even more open to corruption than she was".