§ Kali Mountford (Colne Valley)Madam Speaker, with your permission I should like to make a personal statement.
In response to the 10th and 11th reports of the Standards and Privileges Committee published today, I should like to apologise to you and to the House. I regret that I find myself in this position and that my actions have caused difficulties for members of the Social Security Committee and the Standards and Privileges Committee. What started out as a genuine attempt to be helpful to the deliberations of the Social Security Committee unfortunately went very wrong.
Unfortunately, because of personal and family problems coupled with a series of health problems resulting from surgery that was not successful, I have not been able to spend as much time as usual in and around the House. Had I been able to be here, I might have had a fuller grasp and understanding of the implications of these procedures and not done things which, on reflection, were rather silly. I have of course sent my resignation to the Chairman of the Social Security Committee and apologised to the members.
I fully accept the findings of the Standards and Privileges Committee. I deeply regret my actions and apologise both for my original error of judgment and my delay in being totally forthcoming in this matter.
§ Madam SpeakerThank you, Ms Mountford.
§ Mr. Don Touhig (Islwyn)With your permission, Madam Speaker, I shall make a personal statement.
The Select Committee on Standards and Privileges, in its 10th and 11th reports published today, has made criticisms of my behaviour concerning a draft report of the Select Committee on Social Security. I want the House to know that I accept fully the judgments of the Standards and Privileges Committee, and apologise unreservedly to the House for my part in this matter. The circumstances, which are referred to as "mitigating", are set out fully in my statement to the Standards and Privileges Committee, as are my reasons for declining to name a colleague without that colleague's permission.
I believe that hon. Members should accept reports of the House that are critical of them. It is the duty of each of us to take responsibility for our actions, and I do not shirk that duty today. Finally, I am deeply grateful to you for allowing me to make this unreserved apology to the House at the earliest opportunity.
§ Madam SpeakerThank you, Mr. Touhig.