Conservative Peer Resigns After Censure Over PPE Deal Involvement
A Conservative peer and lobbyist has announced his resignation from the House of Lords and the Conservative Party today, following a censure for his role in obtaining a PPE deal for a firm he worked for during the Covid pandemic. Lord Chadlington, aged 83, stated he will retire after a report recommended a 12-month suspension from the upper chamber for breaching the code of conduct.
Standards Investigation and Findings
The House of Lords Commissioner for Standards found that Lord Chadlington breached the code of conduct by assisting a subsidiary of SGHL, a company where he served as non-executive chairman and shareholder, in securing PPE contracts worth tens of millions of pounds. The Lords Conduct Committee rejected an appeal from the peer and upheld the recommendation for a one-year suspension.
In response, Lord Chadlington said: 'I wholly reject the findings of this appeal and of the commissioner, published today.' He added: 'Although the committee have acknowledged that I did not act dishonestly, it is important that I make clear that I never profited from an introduction, properly made with honourable intent, at a time of unprecedented national crisis.'
Peer's Statement and Retirement Decision
Lord Chadlington emphasized that any errors he made were honest, and he has apologized for them. He stated: 'For more than three years, since reaching 80, I have discussed retiring with House officials but did not wish to do so while these investigations were ongoing.' He concluded: 'I have now decided, having proudly served as a peer for 30 years, that the time is right for me to retire and resign my membership of the Conservative Party.'
Lord Chadlington, born Peter Gummer, is the brother of former Conservative minister and chairman John Gummer, now Lord Deben. He was a close adviser to Prime Minister John Major and was ennobled in 1996. Records indicate he has not spoken in the House since 2019.
Background and Previous Investigations
This marks the third investigation into Lord Chadlington's conduct during the Covid pandemic. The latest probe was initiated after a complaint by the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice in March last year. The findings highlight ongoing scrutiny of lobbying activities and ethical standards within the political sphere during the health crisis.
