This Cash for Votes scandal is a growing problem for Labour. Since it broke last week, every day another leading party figure has been exposed for the fact that they are not declaring the interests of one of their donors. Rachel Reeves has done it. Sadiq Khan has done it. Kate Green had to apologise to the House for it, and now this morning it emerges that everyone’s favourite note-writer Liam Byrne has been at it. Byrne has taken £3,250 of public sector agitators Unison in the form of direct donations to his constituency campaigns in Birmingham. Unison’s view on current Pension Bill is well known: they oppose it. Loudly. You can see where Guido is going with this…

What did Liam forget to do when he was putting amendments down to the Pensions Bill? Rule 78 section E of the House of Commons Code of Conduct is pretty clear:

Members are required to declare relevant interests on the Order Paper (or Notice Paper) when tabling any written notice initiating a parliamentary proceeding, ie:

a) Questions (for oral or written answer, including Urgent Questions);
b) Early Day Motions, Amendments to them, or any names added in support of such Motions or Amendments;
c) a notice of a Motion for leave to introduce a “Ten Minute Rule” Bill;
d) a notice for the presentation of a Bill (including a “Ballot” Bill or supporting the presentation of a Bill);
e) any other Motions, Amendments, or added names in support of them

When section e) is undertaken an (R) is placed next to the Member’s name on the amendment. There is no (R) next to Byrne’s name…

Guido was most surprised to hear that Liam, who is normally such a stickler for punctuality, wasn’t in his office yet this morning, but he has asked his staff when their boss will be following Kate Green’s example and apologising to the House…