Tory Lee Anderson under investigation for using parliamentary roof to film promo
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has launched a probe into the Tory deputy chairman’s use of the rooftop for his GB News show.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson is being investigated after he used a parliamentary rooftop to film a promotion video for his £100,000-a-year GB News show.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, announced on Monday that he launched a probe into whether the controversial Ashfield MP broke the MPs’ code of conduct.
The potential breach is being investigated under paragraph 8, which 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.”
Unauthorised photography or filming is not permitted on the parliamentary estate
Using Parliament Square and Whitehall as the backdrop, Mr Anderson asked viewers to get in touch with their problems for a chance to appear on his weekly show.
Reacting to the clip at the time of its publication, a House of Commons spokesperson said: “Unauthorised photography or filming is not permitted on the parliamentary estate.
“Where it is seen or reported to be happening, the individual in question will be asked to stop and reminded of the rules.”
They said the Serjeant at Arms, who is responsible for upholding order in the Commons, would be contacting Mr Anderson over the Twitter video.
Lee Anderson’s Real World was first aired last month, making him the latest in a string of Tory MPs to host a GB News programme – joining his colleagues Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Philip Davies.
A former Labour councillor before joining the Tories, Mr Anderson has been no stranger to controversy since being elected to Westminster in 2019, having called for the return of the death penalty and claiming people on universal credit were not in poverty.