Commons registrar clears Kirkwood
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.The senior Liberal Democrat MP Archy Kirkwood said last night that he had been cleared of failing to register thousands of pounds in payments from a charitable trust.
The Independent revealed last year that Mr Kirkwood had apparently failed to register payments from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust in 1989 and 1992 to pay the salary of a constituency assistant. The trust paid the salary of Paul Jacobs, an assistant who worked from 1989 to 1992 for Mr Kirkwood in his Scottish constituency. No payments were made directly to the MP. Mr Kirkwood did not record the payment until November 1990.
The Conservatives will this week ask Elizabeth Filkin, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, to investigate. Mr Kirkwood sits on the Commons Commission, the all-party committee of senior MPs that decided not to renew Ms Filkin's contract last year.
Alda Barry, the registrar of members' interests, has written to Mr Kirkwood, saying he need take no further action. Ms Barry wrote: "You had a registrable interest which you did not declare at the appropriate time but you remedied the omission in November 1990. In these circumstances, nothing further can be, or needs to be, done."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments