Two senior members of the House of Lords are set for lengthy suspensions after being found guilty of serious breaches of parliamentary conduct rules.
The Findings and Proposed Sanctions
Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British army, is facing a recommended four-month suspension from the upper chamber. The independent Commissioner for Standards found he provided parliamentary services to companies in which he held a financial interest, directly contravening rules that prohibit such actions for 'payment or reward'.
Meanwhile, Lord Evans of Watford faces an even longer proposed exclusion of five months. His misconduct involved offering 'cash for access' to Members of Parliament and improperly using official House of Lords events to promote his son's business. The investigation confirmed he was a shareholder in the company he promoted.
Origin of the Investigation and Response
The allegations against both peers surfaced following comments they made to undercover journalists, which sparked the formal inquiry. The Commissioner's report, published on Monday 24 November 2025, outlines the specific violations in detail.
In a significant development, both Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans have accepted the findings against them and the proposed sanctions. The suspensions are now pending formal agreement by the House of Commons, which is the next step in the disciplinary process.
Implications for Parliamentary Standards
This case highlights ongoing concerns about lobbying and the integrity of parliamentary processes. The lengthy proposed suspensions signal a firm stance from the standards watchdog against peers leveraging their positions for personal or financial gain.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the strict conduct rules governing members of the House of Lords and the consequences faced for serious breaches.
