New appointment meets 'standards public expects’
2 June 2010
The Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman made a statement today on the appointment of Paul Kernaghan as the first Commissioner for Standards in the House of Lords.
“I am very pleased the House today agreed to appoint Paul Kernaghan as the new independent Commissioner for Standards. He has an excellent track record in the police service and will bring a thorough and independent investigative approach to the role.
“Responsibility for investigating complaints over the misuse of the House of Lords expenses and allowances system now transfers from the Clerk of the Parliaments to the new Commissioner.
“The appointment of the independent Commissioner was agreed to in the new Code of Conduct adopted by the House of Lords for the new Parliament. The new code has tougher rules on the declaration of interests and makes explicit the requirements on Members in relation to the use of parliamentary facilities.
“These steps to appoint an independent Commissioner for Standards and strengthen the Code of Conduct, together with the more transparent system of financial support for the unpaid Members of the Lords, are part of a broad package being adopted by the House to ensure it meets the standards of clarity and openness in its governance structures that the public has a right to expect.”
Further information
- Read the full text of the House of Lords Code of Conduct (PDF 333 KB)
- Parliament News: Appointment of first Lords Standards Commissioner confirmed
- Lords Hansard: Written statement: Commissioner for Standards
- Parliament News: Lords move to appoint Standards Commissioner
- Parliament News: Lords Members sign up to new Code of Conduct
- Parliament News: House of Lords publishes Guide to the Code of Conduct
- Register of Lords’ Interests