The SNP has demanded “root-and-branch reform” of MP outside earnings and dark money donations – following the brewing scandal exposed by the Sky News Westminster Accounts investigation.
Stephen Flynn MP said the egregious examples of Tory and Labour Party MPs earning millions in outside earnings from second jobs, and receiving millions in murky donations from non-transparent and questionable sources, showed “the Westminster system is broken and corrupt”.
Having raised the issue of Boris Johnson’s outside earnings at PMQs on Wednesday, the SNP Westminster Leader has now written to Rishi Sunak calling for him to introduce robust UK legislation to ban dark money donations, block MPs from taking second jobs that involve a considerable time commitment or conflict of interest, and to ensure tight restrictions and full transparency on outside earnings.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said:
“Being elected as an MP is a privilege and must never be treated as anything less than a full time job.
“Yet, dozens of Tory, Labour Party and Lib Dem MPs seem to be more interested in raking in cash through second jobs, and dark money donations, than standing up for their constituents.
“This is the MP expenses scandal all over again.
“The Westminster system is broken and corrupt.
“This brewing scandal shows Scotland would be much better off as an independent country, escaping Westminster control for good.
“It’s disgraceful that senior members of the Tory party are raking in millions, while seeking to deny fair pay for working people suffering from thirteen years of Tory cuts, Brexit and the Westminster-made cost of living crisis.
“There must now be root-and-branch reform. UK government legislation must be introduced to ban dark money donations, block MPs from taking second jobs that involve a considerable time commitment or conflict of interest, and to ensure tight restrictions and full transparency on outside earnings.
“This Westminster scandal makes a mockery of Rishi Sunak’s claims to lead a government with integrity and accountability.
“If he has an ounce of either, he would commit to full scale reform now.”
