Newly elected LibDem MP Rachel Gilmour has found a rather family-friendly way to staff her parliamentary office – by hiring her son Henry Oliver. The problem is IPSA rules clearly state that any MP elected after 2017 is prohibited from employing close relatives, including children. Oliver currently works at Opinium Research – a detail that conveniently didn’t make it onto the official register of interests. Dutiful son Henry has been a helping hand to Rachel for some time, proudly posting about his role in helping his “brilliant mother” win the Tiverton and Minehead seat…
Guido reached out to Rachel Gilmour this morning, who then instantly referred herself to the Standards Commissioner. She told Guido:
“This was an honest mistake, Henry was assisting me with the setting up of my office in a voluntary capacity after I was elected. As soon as I became aware of this mistake, I rescinded his pass and referred myself to the Standards Commissioner.”
Not a great way to start the year. Politics has always been a family business…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”
