Mrs Natalie Elphicke, Sir Roger Gale, Adam Holloway, Bob Stewart, Theresa Villiers Contents

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Contents

Report

The Commissioner’s findings

The Committee’s consideration of the cases

Analysis

Application of Parliamentary privilege

The draft letter

Were the letters an attempt at improper influence?

What options were open to the Members to take?

Duties to constituents

Overall conclusion

Mrs Natalie Elphicke

Sir Roger Gale

Adam Holloway

Bob Stewart

Theresa Villiers

Advice to Members

Appendix 1: Memorandum from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards – Mrs Natalie Elphicke MP, Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP, Mr Adam Holloway MP, Colonel Bob Stewart MP, Rt Hon Ms Theresa Villiers MP

Summary

Report

Background

What did the Members’ letters say?

The scope of my inquiry

Analysis of the key issues raised during the inquiry

Matter of policy and principle and not about an individual case

Acting on behalf of constituents

The recipients of the letter of 19 November

The later letters

The media application

The draft of the 19 November 2020 letter

Raising the issue in Parliament

Advice of Speaker’s Counsel

Correspondence with Ministers

Acting to protect the confidentiality of constituents

The relevant rules of the House

My findings

Use of House stationery for character references (paragraph 16)

Writing to the judiciary about a pending hearing (paragraph 17)

Use of stationery for the letters to the judiciary (paragraph 16)

Decision

Comments from the Members on my draft decision

Conclusions

Appendices to the Commissioner’s memorandum

Appendix 2: Letter dated 1 July 2021 from Mrs Natalie Elphicke MP to the Chair of the Committee

Appendix 3: Letter dated 28 June 2021 from Rt Hon Roger Gale MP, Adam Holloway MP and Colonel The Rt Hon Bob Stewart MP to the Chair of the Committee

Appendix 4: Letter dated 1 July 2021 from Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP to the Chair of the Committee

Formal minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament