Boris Johnson has claimed one of the “most important” rules in government is that MPs “who break the rules must be investigated, and should be punished” accordingly.
Speaking at a Cop26 press conference, during which he made a last bid attempt to rally world leaders to commit to stronger climate pledges, the PM also said the rules about MPs holding second jobs are “clear” – and that they must put their role as constituency representatives “first”.
Insisting that he “genuinely believes the UK is not remotely a corrupt country”, Mr Johnson told reporters on Wednesday: “For hundreds of years, MPs have gone to parliament and also done work as doctors, lawyers or soldiers or firefighters ... but, if that system is going to continue today, then it is crucial that MPs follow the rules”.
It comes after Sir Geoffrey Cox – who served as attorney general between 2018 and 2020 – earlier denied breaching Commons rules, despite footage which appears to show him conducting non-parliamentary work from his MP office. He was working at the time as an adviser to the British Virgin Islands during an inquiry, launched by the UK government, into possible corruption there.
