MPs have been warned that cross-party special interest groups could spark a new lobbying scandal without serious reform, as an investigation reveals £30 million has been paid into all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) over the past five years.
Standards Committee chairman Chris Bryant said many APPGs 'now seem to have become the parliamentary arm of lobbying and PR companies', adding that 'the Parliamentary logo is not for sale'. The groups, which have no official status, cover topics from countries to yoga.
Transparency International research shows 36 APPGs about countries are run by external bodies, with two funded by a foreign state, 23 by campaign groups, and six by private businesses. The BBC investigation found £6.4 million of the total came from registered lobbyists.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is reportedly working with Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and Mr Bryant to increase transparency. The Commons Standards Committee launched an inquiry into APPGs in late 2020, and Mr Bryant wants greater transparency rather than a ban.
Earlier this year, the speakers banned China's ambassador from visiting Westminster after an invitation from the APPG on China, citing sanctions on seven parliamentarians. Tory MP Richard Graham, who leads the group, expressed regret over postponing the talk.
