Watchdog all-clear for MP

The standards committee considered the case

Liberal Democrat MP Archy Kirkwood will face no action over claims that he failed to declare thousands of pounds in payments.

The Commons standards and privileges committee agreed with Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Philip Mawer that the complaints against the Roxburgh and Berwickshire MP had no substance, with minor exceptions.

However, it said these required no further action.

Archy Kirkwood: Rectified the situation

At the end of last year it was reported that the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Limited, of which Mr Kirkwood is chairman, made payments to him totalling several thousand pounds in 1989 and 1992 and that these were not recorded in the Commons Register of Members' Interests.

The money paid the salary of an assistant who worked for Mr Kirkwood in his constituency.

In his first report since taking up the role, Mr Mawer said Mr Kirkwood did err in failing to register before November 1990 the support he received from JRRT Ltd in respect of employing the assistant from December 1989.

But Mr Mawer noted that the MP himself rectified that omission in November 1990, adding that he had seen no evidence that Mr Kirkwood failed to register support received in 1992.

Mr Mawer added that Mr Kirkwood had amended his entry in the register to make clear that JRRT Ltd is a limited company and that he is its chairman as well as a director.