2 former UK foreign secretaries in latest 'cash for access' scandal

[T_i_B]

Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)

Two former foreign secretaries are exposed for their involvement in a new “cash for access” scandal.

Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind offered to use their positions as politicians on behalf of a fictitious Chinese company in return for payments of at least £5,000 per day.

Mr Straw, one of Labour’s most senior figures, boasted that he operated “under the radar” to use his influence to change European Union rules on behalf of a commodity firm which pays him £60,000 a year. He has been suspended from Labour following the disclosures, described by the party as "disturbing".

Sir Malcolm, who oversees Britain’s intelligence agencies on behalf of Parliament, said he could arrange “useful access” to every British ambassador in the world because of his status.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/11411007/Jack-Straw-and-Sir-Malcolm-Rifkind-in-latest-cash-for-access-scandal.html

[Valhallakey]

1. Just legalize it like the USA has done

That way no harm no foul right?

[RelativelyJones]

2. That's what I was thinking

Just call the corruption lobbying, then poof, no corruption.

[NBachers]

3. Yeah, I was thinking, "What, they don't allow bribery over there?"

[LeftishBrit]

4. I think the problem is in fact that we do...

and these politicians probably kept just within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law.

They may well be right when they say that they didn't break the rules. This means that the rules need to be tightened.

I don't hold any brief for our politicians or their semi-legal bribery; but can't help suspecting that the Telegraph are choosing this time to bring it up, so as to deflect attention from their own (again probably technically legal) bribery scandals:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/seeing-red/peter-oborne-has-bravely-highlighted-businesses-151654862.html#GbpHaS2

Everybody seems to be corrupt these days!

[T_i_B]

5. It's a joint investigation with Channel 4's "Dispatches"

The TV programme aired last night, although I didn't watch it.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Update: Malcolm Rifkind is standing down as MP and committee chair

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31603202

Jack Straw had already stood down for the forthcoming election before this happened. It's claimed that he may be taking a job with a firm for which he helped to gain a large contract while MP:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cash-for-access-scandal-jack-straw-may-take-job-with-firm-he-helped-win-75m-contract-10066311.html

He has been criticized for taking a part-time job paid for by the horrible government of Kazakhstan.


Incidentally, what sort of consultancies give you £5000 a day???! I must be hopelessly naïve, or moving in the wrong circles.