On 13th November 2007 I made a complaint to Sir Philip Mawer, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, regarding twelve female Labour MPs.

Page 28 of the Guide to the rules relating to the conduct of Members, states that Members cannot:

'…enter into any contractual agreement with an outside body, controlling or limiting the Member's complete independence and freedom of action in Parliament.'

As this would obviously compromise the neutrality of any individual MP when casting a vote in the voting lobby.


All the MPs I complained about are listed on the organisation of Emily's List website as having taken money in order to help them become selected as Labour candidates.  

In order to obtain the funding you have to complete two criteria; one to support Labour values; and two, to be pro choice (abortion).

Accepting money in order to help you become an MP on the basis that you are pro-abortion in my book means you have compromised your neutrality in the voting lobby, thereby contravening page 28 of the Guide to the rules relating to the conduct of Members (as stated above).

Sir Philip Mawer has dismissed the case. I received two letters from him in the post today – letter one states:

'There is no evidence that those who have received funding from Emily's List are party to such a contractual agreement. Nor have I been presented with any evidence which suggests that the organisers of Emily's List have behaved as if those who received its funding were party to such an agreement.'

Letter two was a letter telling ME off for not having informed the twelve Labour MPs, that I had reported them to Sir Philip.

According to the guidance issued to Members, I was under no obligation whatsoever to inform the Emily's Fund recipients that I had reported them, however, as a matter of courtesy I did so on 20th November 2007.

One of the reasons I made this complaint is that so many people have contacted me who are outraged that this has never been raised with the Commissioner for Standards before - I obviously think he is wrong, I imagine that many others will do also. I now feel mildly outraged myself.