Annex IV4
Letter to Ms Eileen Eggington QPM from
the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
I am sorry to write to you on a matter of concern.
Before coming to the specific issue I should perhaps
first set out the parliamentary framework within which I operate.
As I am sure you are aware any inquiry which I conduct, on behalf
of the Standards and Privileges Committee, is a Parliamentary
proceeding and any action which might obstruct such an inquiry
in any way could be a contempt of Parliament. It would also be
improper for any complainant or witness to contact other witnesses,
potential witnesses or the media in relation to such an inquiry.
Any information relevant to such an inquiry should be treated
in the strictest confidence.
To turn to the subject of this letter.
I have received a letter from Mr Keith Vaz saying:
"I am writing to confirm that Eileen Eggington
telephoned my mother in Leicester last Thursday [4 October] and
asked her questions apparently on your behalf".
Mr Vaz also informs me that he has referred this
telephone call to the police as he regards it as harassment.
I would be grateful if you would let me know the
following so that I may decide whether I should take any action
on this matter:
1. Have you telephoned Mrs Vaz senior for any
reason recently?
2. If so, what was the purpose and content of
the call and when did it take place?
3. Did you imply in any way that you were acting
on my behalf? If so, please explain this and if not please can
you suggest any explanation for why Mrs Vaz senior might have
interpreted any conversation this way?
Mr Vaz also tells me that you have given newspaper
interviews about this matter and he raises the question as to
whether you and/or Mrs Gresty have received payment from newspapers
in relation to this inquiry.
4. Please would you therefore let me know of
any contact you have had with any of the media in relation to
information related to this inquiry and whether you and/or Mrs
Gresty have received payment from any newspaper for such information.
If you would prefer to discuss this matter in the
first instance perhaps you would contact this office.
16 October 2001
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