23/02/2015

Two Former Foreign Secretaries Filmed Offering Services For Cash

Two former Foreign Secretaries have been secretly filmed offering to use their influence to benefit a private Chinese company.

Channel 4's Dispatches and the Daily Telegraph set up an operation in which reporters posed as staff of a fake Chinese firm.

In secretly filmed meetings with Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind, both men are allegedly to have offered their services for cash.

However, they have denied any wrongdoing and referred themselves to Parliament's standards watchdog.

It is understood that Mr Straw has been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party at his own request. While Sir Rifkind is currently not facing any suspension.

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 September 2006
Turkey plant workers sentenced for cruelty
Two workers at a turkey plant have been sentenced to community service after they were secretly filmed beating turkeys with sticks. Norwich magistrates heard how Daniel Palmer, 27, and Neil Allan, 30 were secretly filmed using poles to hit turkeys as though they were playing baseball, prosecutor Jonathan Eales.
10 November 2006
BNP duo cleared of race hate charges
The leader of the BNP and a party activist have been found not guilty of inciting racial hatred. Nick Griffin, 47, was found not guilty of using words or behaviour intended to incite racial hatred. The BNP's had of publicity Mark Collett, 26, was cleared on similar charges.
09 December 2004
Ofcom reviews controls on premium rate calls
Telecoms regulator Ofcom has published its findings aimed at improving consumer protection following a review of the regulation of premium rate telephone services in the UK.
24 February 2015
Sir Malcolm Rifkind Steps Down From Security Committee
Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to stand down as Chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee over the controversy of a "cash-for-access" sting operation.
20 September 2012
Lib Dems Offering Apologies For Tuition Fees Pledge
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has been joined by Vince Cable and David Laws to apologise for breaking their party's pledge to oppose increasing student tuition fees. In a party political broadcast to be aired next week, Mr Clegg will say he is sorry the party "did not stick" to its pre-election promise.