Lewis Moonie, Baron Moonie - Parliamentary Career - The 'Cash For Influence' Scandal

The 'Cash For Influence' Scandal

In late-January 2009 the Sunday Times involved Lord Moonie in a classic 'sting operation'. Along with 3 other Labour peers, Lord Moonie was approached by a reporter. Of the 4, Lord Moonie was the only one subsequently cleared by the House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords' Interests.

In the newspaper sting, "Moonie said he would contact Healey and offered to identify people who could put down an amendment." He quoted an annual fee for his assistance of £30,000. Lord Moonie is quoted as saying “I did not agree to amend the legislation. I agreed to seek to help to find a way of trying to amend the legislation.”

The House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords' Interests was asked to report on the matter. It found that "on the standard of proof that we have set, we do not find that Lord Moonie expressed a clear willingness to breach the Code by promoting amendments on behalf of lobbyists in return for payment."

The Lords' Privileges Committee considered the sub-committee's report. It published its findings on 14 May 2009. It agreed that Lord Moonie had not breached the code.