Boris Johnson has responded to a fortnight of headlines about sleaze by proposing that MPs should be barred from also working as a “parliamentary strategist, adviser or consultant” or from carrying out other work that might “prevent them from carrying out their range of duties”.
Johnson’s letter to the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, was somewhat vague, and Downing Street said it was up to MPs to decide the precise definitions of what would be barred and whether to add more restrictions.
If kept as outlined, the new rules may not affect a large number of MPs, despite the many backbenchers – including more than one in four Tory MPs – with second jobs. A 2018 report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which first came up with the proposals, estimated that only “a handful of MPs still hold such positions”.
Here are some MPs whose outside work, as detailed on the register of MPs’ interests, could be affected by the new rules.
Steve Brine, Winchester (Conservative)
Brine is a strategic adviser to three companies: the healthcare recruitment firm Remedium Partners, earning £19,200 a year for 96 hours; Microlink PC (UK), earning £19,200 for 96 hours; and the pharmaceuticals company Sigma, earning £19,992 for 96 hours’ work.
Alun Cairns, Vale of Glamorgan (Conservative)
The former Wales secretary is a senior adviser to BBI Group, a global life science and diagnostic company, earning £15,000 a year for up to 70 hours’ work. He is also a senior adviser to the private hire transport company Veezu Holdings, earning £15,000 a year for up to 70 hours. And he is an adviser to the global property investment firm Elite Partners Capital, earning £30,000 a year for up to 84 hours’ work.
Geoffrey Cox, Torridge and West Devon (Conservative)
The former attorney general has many outside commitments as a barrister, including up to 41 hours a month representing government ministers of the British Virgin Islands during a commission of inquiry, earning £400,000 a year. After his case caused a furore last week, he said he regularly worked 70-hour weeks and always ensured that casework on behalf of his constituents was given priority.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Chingford and Woodford Green (Conservative)
As a member of the international advisory board of Tunstall Health Group, the former Tory party leader makes £20,000 a year for up to 30 hours. He is also an adviser to the board of Byotrol Technology, a British company that develops and produces anti-viral/anti-bacterial products, earning £25,000 a year for 144 hours’ work.
Ruth Edwards, Rushcliffe (Conservative)
As an adviser to MHR International, which produces HR and payroll software, she earns £60,000 a year for 192 hours’ work.
Chris Grayling, Epsom and Ewell (Conservative)
The former transport secretary is a strategic adviser to Hutchison Ports Europe and makes £100,000 a year for 336 hours’ work.
Damian Green, Ashford (Conservative)
A consultant on rail policy to Abellio Transport Holdings, the former Cabinet Office minister makes £40,000 a year for 288 hours’ work.
Stephen Hammond, Wimbledon (Conservative)
The former health minister is a strategic adviser to the investment company Darwin Alternative Investments. Hammond provides political advice on business and finance, earning £60,000 a year for 50-100 hours’ work.
Sir John Hayes, South Holland and The Deepings (Conservative)
The strategic adviser to the international energy company BB Energy Trading earns £50,000 a year for 80-90 hours’ work.
Daniel Kawczynski, Shrewsbury and Atcham (Conservative)
A consultant providing general advice to a US mining company, the Electrum Group, Kawczynski makes £36,000 a year for 360 hours’ work.
Andrew Mitchell, Sutton Coldfield (Conservative)
The former minister makes £12,000 for two days a year as a senior adviser to Investec, £36,000 for eight days a year as a senior adviser to Montrose Associates, and £30,000 a year for five days as a consultant with Ernst & Young.
Sir Robert Neill, Bromley and Chislehurst (Conservative)
As a consultant to a property and business consultancy, the Substantia Group, Neill earns £12,000 a year for 72 hours’ work.
Laurence Robertson, Tewkesbury (Conservative)
Robertson is a parliamentary adviser on sport and safer gambling to the Betting and Gaming Council, earning £24,000 a year for 120 hours’ work.
Julian Smith, Skipton and Ripon (Conservative)
An external adviser to Simply Blue Management (UK), the former Northern Ireland secretary and chief whip earns £24,000 a year for 12-24 hours’ work.