Advertisement

  1. National

Politicians clash over second jobs row

Ed Miliband has called on David Cameron to ban MPs from having second jobs "to restore the reputation of this house" following recent allegations against two former foreign secretaries.

Tory MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to step down as an MP at the General Election and has also resigned as chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, he said.

Sir Rifkind and Jack Straw were both suspended from their parties after they were secretly filmed allegedly offering to use their positions and contacts to benefit a private company in return for cash. Both men deny any wrong-doing.

View all 28 updates ›

Ex-foreign secretaries secretly filmed by reporters

Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw have been secretly filmed by reporters working for the Daily Telegraph and Channel 4's Dispatches apparently offering to use their positions in exchange for cash. Both strongly deny any wrongdoing.

Sir Malcolm has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards but said claims he was 'willing to act as an MP for hire' were untrue.

Mr Straw issued a statement insisting that nothing he said in the meetings was 'improper'.

More on this story