CIPR responds to parliamentary standards scandal
The CIPR has responded to the BBC Panorama and Daily Telegraph exposé of Patrick Mercer. Mr Mercer is alleged to have breached parliamentary rules on the declaration of interests.
"It is unhelpful that an alleged breach of parliamentary standards, which does not implicate any professional lobbyists, is being used to attack the high standards of individual lobbyists, in-house public affairs teams and public affairs consultancies who are bound through the available codes of conduct set out in membership of the CIPR, Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC).
The CIPR has long supported the introduction of a statutory register lobbyists that is maintained independently of government and the lobbying industry. It should be universal and support the existing, effective self regulatory structures provided by the industry's bodies.
We have repeatedly offered to discuss the governments proposals for a statutory register, and recently submitted a draft definition of lobbying for their consideration."
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).