Recess Monkey has received the following, perplexing email from a representative of Simon Hughes MP. I was at first aghast at the prospect of hearing Simon speak - he is, after all, the most anaesthetically boring speaker I have ever heard. However, it seems the speaker is in fact the excellent Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty, who despite her now apparent political affiliation is a passionate speaker and easy on the eyes too.
Nevertheless, it surprises me that Simon is using his privileged access to Commons facilities to raise what he hopes will be £3,000 for his local party. This is particularly surprising as MP Jonathan Sayeed is only barely back from his suspension for something rather similar.
As well as hosting the event in Portcullis House, those who are willing to stump up £20 are offered, “Wine and nibbles and a tour of the Palace of Westminster by Simon Hughes”. Frankly, I’m nearly tempted to go myself.
If you would like to attend, please contact andrew@libdems.demon.co.uk, or if you would like to report Simon to the Committee for Standards & Privileges, call Jenny McCullough on x3317 or email her - mcculloughj@parliament.uk
recessmonkey@gmail.com
3rd Annual North Southwark & Bermondsey Lecture.
28th Feb. Simon Hughes MP presents this years lecture - “Why should civil liberties matter to ordinary people?” by Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty. email andrew@libdems.demon.co.uk to indicate you can attend. Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, House of Commons. Wine and nibbles and a tour of the Palace of Westminster by Simon Hughes as well as the great speaker. Numbers are limited to 150 - tickets are £20 please send a cheque made payable to “Bermondsey Liberal Democrats” to Andrew Reeves
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Good to see that recess-monkey-turned-investigator still has something to do despite his early retirement from high-politics… Allow me to clarify this please.
The lecture is to be given by Shami Chakrabati, the Director of Liberty, which is an organization based in our constituency. I accept that the wording on some of the invitation literature may have been misleading in that it could have implied that the price was related to a possible tour of the Commons. However, money raised from the ticket sales is spent on the food and drink and the administration of the event. It is not a fundraising event. Any surplus will be given as a donation to Liberty. The Committee for Standards & Privileges is satisfied this is the case.
Kris Verlé
Head of Office to Simon Hughes MP
Kris Verlé said this on February 24th, 2005 at 6:12 pm
No, you can’t charge people money to attend functions in Parliament. You get the room for free so you can’t charge for attendance. You can get the food sponsored or ask people for a donation at the event but you can’t sell tickets.
Brandy Hart said this on February 25th, 2005 at 6:33 pm