THE Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Dame Eleanor Laing, and Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, are now the subjects of an investigation by Commons’ Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg. The commissioner is examining allegations suggesting a potential breach of parliamentary rules, particularly those related to “actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its Members generally.”
The investigation, currently shrouded in secrecy, has yet to reveal specific details, leaving the public and political circles in suspense. Commissioner Greenberg, known for his thoroughness, is expected to unravel the complexities of the case to determine if the alleged actions indeed violated parliamentary standards.
The saga dates back to December 8, 2020, when questions arose regarding a gathering in Parliament reportedly organized by Dame Eleanor Laing. This event took a central role in a political showdown, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson referencing it in a pointed statement against Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin. Johnson accused Jenkin of “monstrous hypocrisy” for allegedly attending the gathering before sitting on a panel that later found the former prime minister guilty of misleading MPs in the partygate scandal.
Virginia Crosbie, who had previously faced queries about her attendance at the December 8 gathering, issued an apology earlier this year for being present during a time when Covid restrictions were still in force. Despite the apology, lingering questions prompted Commissioner Greenberg’s intervention. In a statement, Crosbie affirmed her full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
“I will, of course, cooperate fully with this investigation,” Crosbie declared. “However, I would like to confirm I was contacted by the Metropolitan Police in October. It told me that following an investigation, I would not receive a Fixed Penalty Notice in relation to allegations that Covid regulations were breached at an event I attended on 8th December 2020.”
The unfolding tale has captivated political observers, as the investigation delves into potential breaches of Covid regulations and the broader issue of whether the actions of the Deputy Speaker and the Welsh MP have tarnished the reputation of the House of Commons.
As the standards watchdog delves deeper, the political landscape in Wales is buzzing with anticipation, awaiting the commissioner’s findings and the subsequent implications for two figures deeply involved in parliamentary affairs. The story continues to evolve, leaving both supporters and critics eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping tale of political intrigue.
