Annex A
Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards
from the Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory
MP
I write to ask that you reopen the enquiry into the
£200,000 remuneration paid by Hollis Industries plc to its
Chairman, Geoffrey Robinson MP, as recorded in the audited accounts
of that company. Mr Robinson failed to declare that payment as
required by the Rules of House and this was investigated by the
Committee on Standards and Privileges in 1998.
In the Committee's report dated 14 April 1998 the
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards at that time concluded
that 'although there could be uncertainty on this matter, on the
evidence I have seen I think the likelihood is that Mr Robinson
did not receive payment of £200,000 and that the published
accounts are in error.' The Committee on Standards & Privileges
accepted that conclusion although it reprimanded Mr Robinson on
other matters relating to registration.
Evidence has now been discovered by Mr Tom Bower
that Mr Robinson was paid £200,000. In particular Mr Bower
has an invoice which is reproduced on page 23 of today's Daily
Mail disclosing the payment. This was sent by Mr Robinson from
his home address to Hollis Industries plc claiming a 'fee for
management services' of £200,000. On the invoice in manuscript
are the words 'paid' and another note indicating that it was payable
to Mr Robinson 'personally'.
This constitutes almost irrefutable evidence that
Mr Robinson did indeed receive the disputed management fee which
he failed to disclose. In evidence to the Committee it is recorded
that 'Mr Robinson gave a categorical assurance ... that he did
not receive any benefit directly or indirectly in respect of his
chairmanship of Hollis.'
It would be an extremely serious matter if it was
now shown that Mr Robinson or his beneficial interests had in
fact received the £200,000 fee. In the light of the new evidence
I would be grateful if you would reopen the enquiry into these
matters and report accordingly to the Standards & Privileges
Committee.
19 March 2001
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