THE TELEGRAPH: Two Labour peers have been suspended from the House of Lords after they were found guilty of offering to change the law in return for money.
Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn were unanimously found to have breached the Upper House's code of conduct which requires members to "always act on their personal honour". It is the first time in 350 years that peers have been banned in this way.
Four peers were caught speaking to undercover journalists posing as lobbyists and appeared willing to amend a Bill in return for cash.
The other peers implicated in the affair, Lord Moonie and Lord Snape, were cleared of wrongdoing but ordered to apologise to the Lords.
Lord Brabazon of Tara, Chairman of Committees, said: "This episode has done serious damage to the reputation of the House. We all have responsibility individually and collectively to uphold that reputation.
"That is why personal honour remains the cornerstone of the House's code of conduct. Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn Suspended from the House of Lords >>> By Andrew Porter Political Editor | Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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