ANNEX F
Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards from Mr M J Batchelor
I was disturbed at allegations (widely reported,
covered in the broadsheets) that hoards of New Labour MPs made
a pile, each, in betting on Mr — becoming the Speaker.
You needn't have much imagination to assess the dynamics
of this—you bet on your Party's guy getting the job and
then you persuade like-minded friends to vote for him—and
then, bet on him. A vicious, sleazy cycle.
William Hill will I'm sure be able to give you at
least the broad aggregate of cash placed by MPs on the successful
candidate—and perhaps even a list of the individual names
and how much each betted.
I wouldn't be surprised too, if the opportunistic
unprincipled and naturally sleazy middle of the House— ie
the Lib Dems—may have been heavily involved as betters.
The entire matter has universally important constitutional
concerns, which I hope you will also cover in your investigation.
5 November 2000
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