London,
01
August
2017
|
10:50
Europe/London

CIPR calls for clarity on MPs on lobbying register

The inclusion of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Statutory Register of Lobbyists has called into question the rules governing MPs.

CIPR PA Chair, Paul Beckford MCIPR
It is hard to see how an MP can fall within the remit of the statutory lobbying register and at the same time comply with the MP’s Code of Conduct which says ‘No Member shall act as a paid advocate in any proceeding of the House’.
 
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life should now decide if registering as a Lobbyist is compatible with the rules of the House of Commons and the MPs Code of Conduct.
 
However, this pales into insignificance when you consider that the Statutory Register of Lobbyists covers only agency lobbying, as well as 1 MP, but does not include a single in-house lobbyist. People paid to influence public policy who are directly employed by some of the largest, corporations, charities, trade unions and trade associations are not included in the Government’s Lobbying Register.
 
The good news is that any lobbyist can join the UK Lobbying Register, which is owned and managed by the CIPR, to demonstrate their commitment to transparency.
CIPR PA Chair, Paul Beckford MCIPR
Notes to editors

Notes to editors

About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).