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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.

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Miliband attacks Cameron on MPs' second jobs

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.

Ed Miliband addressing David Cameron in the Commons today. Credit: ITV News

Mr Miliband accused the Prime Minister of not wanting to change the rules after the Government amended a Labour motion that MPs should only have one job.

The Labour leader recalled comments by Mr Cameron in 2009 when he said in opposition that "being a Member of Parliament must be a full-time commitment" and that "double-jobbing MPs" would not be allowed under his leadership.

Mr Cameron said Mr Miliband's proposal was "not thought through", adding: "I think the difficulty with your specific proposal is it would allow, for instance, someone to be a paid trade union official but it wouldn't allow someone to run a family business or a family shop."

Miliband hit back, saying: "Let's agree now we will rule out anyone being a paid trade union official, a paid director, or a paid consultant. Say yes and we can restore the reputation of this House."

ITV News Political Editor Tom Bradby said Mr Miliband's performance at Prime Minister's Questions was one of his "best" for a while.

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