Former transport minister suspended in ‘cash-for-access’ allegations
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a former transport minister and foreign secretary, has been suspended by the Conservative Party, which has also launched a disciplinary investigation after he was videoed offering to help a bogus Chinese firm in return for a fee.
The MP for Kensington is also under pressure to resign from his role as chair of the parliamentary committee which oversees intelligence agencies.
However, Sir Malcolm, who was transport secretary under John Major’s government from 1990 to 1992, maintains that he has done nothing wrong.
The Tory MP told the FT he ‘welcomed the chance to clear his name in front of a disciplinary committee that will decide whether he should have the Conservative whip restored and be allowed to defend his Kensington seat in the May General Election.
"The inquiry will be thorough and will be completed in March," he told the newspaper. "I am delighted to have this opportunity to put my position before people who are objective," he said.
Sir Malcolm was seen on video bragging to undercover reporters from Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and the Daily Telegraph that he had access to every British ambassador and that he could ask questions of ministers on behalf of clients in return for a fee.
The MP, who receives a parliamentary salary, described himself as ‘self-employed’ and said he had plenty of spare time for non-parliamentary work.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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