ANNEX K
Letter to Mr Frank Roy MP from the Parliamentary
Commissioner for Standards
I have received a complaint from Mrs Margaret McDonald
alleging that you laid a bet on the election of the Speaker and
made a financial gain from your position as a Member of Parliament.
I attach a copy of Mrs McDonald's letter and would be grateful
to receive an account of the event in question and any other comments
you may wish to make. So that I may decide whether I should look
into the matter. In particular please would you let me know:
1. Whether you laid a bet on the outcome of the
election of the Speaker?
2. If so the date of the bet, the amount of the
bet, the amount of the winnings and whether it was an individual
bet or a syndicate.
3. What conversations were you involved in, on
what dates, to ascertain from colleagues the likely level of support
for Mr Martin as a candidate for Speaker?
4. Whether you encouraged any Member of Parliament
to vote for Mr Martin and if so the names of those you encouraged
and the dates in question.
5. Whether you encouraged any Member to bet on
the outcome of this election and if so the names of those concerned?
6. Whether you are aware of any other Member
who has laid a bet on the outcome of the election and if so please
give their names.
7. Any other information which you have which
would allow me to gain a complete picture.
As you will have seen from the press several other
individuals have indicated they will be making complaints to me
concerning this issue. I have received several general complaints
and have written to those complainants to ask them for details.
If I received such information which refers to you, I will put
it to you.
It may be you would prefer to discuss these matters
with me in the first place and if so perhaps you would telephone
my office.
1 November 2000
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