Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind undercover cash for access row

[Anna B]

Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind have been caught out in an undercover sting, ('Dispatches' TV programme,) accepting money for services rendered. Jack Straw quoting £5,000 a day for 'access.'

 

There's some doubt as to whether what they've done is legal or not, but is it right that MPs should profit from public service and should they not be spending their time as MPs working as MPs and not on their own business interests, and 'consultancies.'?

[Harrystottle]

The BBC must be upset. They go to all the time and trouble to do a hatchet job on the 'Kippers and then this happens.

 

Our politicians are a shower, aren't they? And they wonder why people don't vote. I wouldn't bother listening to the excuses of Straw and Rifkind. It's five minutes of your life you'll never get back and we've heard it all before anyway.

[Stoatwobbler]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/11411007/Jack-Straw-and-Sir-Malcolm-Rifkind-in-latest-cash-for-access-scandal.html

 

Two former foreign secretaries are exposed for their involvement in a new “cash for access” scandal.

 

Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind offered to use their positions as politicians on behalf of a fictitious Chinese company in return for payments of at least £5,000 per day.

 

Mr Straw, one of Labour’s most senior figures, boasted that he operated “under the radar” to use his influence to change European Union rules on behalf of a commodity firm which pays him £60,000 a year. He has been suspended from Labour following the disclosures, described by the party as "disturbing".

 

Sir Malcolm, who oversees Britain’s intelligence agencies on behalf of Parliament, said he could arrange “useful access” to every British ambassador in the world because of his status.

[Anna B]

The BBC must be upset. They go to all the time and trouble to do a hatchet job on the 'Kippers and then this happens.

 

Our politicians are a shower, aren't they? And they wonder why people don't vote. I wouldn't bother listening to the excuses of Straw and Rifkind. It's five minutes of your life you'll never get back and we've heard it all before anyway.

 

The government machine seems to be the one area that hasn't suffered any cuts. 600+ MP, endless advisors, consultants, spin doctors, think tanks, and a house of Lords that has now ballooned to 800+. And don't get me started on the MEPs...

 

And for what?

 

We're governed by Europe anyway, and Scotland, Wales and Ireland now have their own governments, so what do they do all day? - Oh yes make pots of money for themselves...

[mossdog]

Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind have been caught out in an undercover sting, ('Dispatches' TV programme,) accepting money for services rendered. Jack Straw quoting £5,000 a day for 'access.'

 

There's some doubt as to whether what they've done is legal or not, but is it right that MPs should profit from public service and should they not be spending their time as MPs working as MPs and not on their own business interests, and 'consultancies.'?

Think how much the great Teflon is making out of his contacts!

[Mecky]

The scenario is nothing new

[Harrystottle]

Two things shocked me. Rifkind bragging about how much spare time he has (bet his constituents will love that) and Straw saying he charges £5,000 for a speech.

 

These two are both 68 years old and doubtless drawing their old age pension on top of their £67,000 basic wage.

 

An MP's pension is calculated at 1/40th or 1/50th of their wage for every year of pensionable service. If both men chose 1/40th then that means that Rifkind, who has been an MP for 40 years could retire on a pension of £67,000! Straw has been an MP for 35 years and would get £58,625 (roughly!).

 

They ought to be told to retire, get their massive pensions and cash lump sum) and have the decency to retire from public life and keep their greedy traps shut forever.

 

---------- Post added 23-02-2015 at 10:01 ----------

 

The scenario is nothing new

 

That doesn't excuse their behaviour though.

[mossdog]

The scenario is nothing new

You sound like the voice of experience!

[Mister M]

Two things shocked me. Rifkind bragging about how much spare time he has (bet his constituents will love that) and Straw saying he charges £5,000 for a speech.

 

These two are both 68 years old and doubtless drawing their old age pension on top of their £67,000 basic wage.

 

An MP's pension is calculated at 1/40th or 1/50th of their wage for every year of pensionable service. If both men chose 1/40th then that means that Rifkind, who has been an MP for 40 years could retire on a pension of £67,000! Straw has been an MP for 35 years and would get £58,625 (roughly!).

 

They ought to be told to retire, get their massive pensions and cash lump sum) and have the decency to retire from public life and keep their greedy traps shut forever.

 

---------- Post added 23-02-2015 at 10:01 ----------

 

 

That doesn't excuse their behaviour though.

 

The lazy sods. They moan about and condemn jobseekers getting a pittance as scroungers. They judge others by their own standards. And I include Mark Hoban in that

 

---------- Post added 23-02-2015 at 10:40 ----------

 

The government machine seems to be the one area that hasn't suffered any cuts. 600+ MP, endless advisors, consultants, spin doctors, think tanks, and a house of Lords that has now ballooned to 800+. And don't get me started on the MEPs...

 

And for what?

 

We're governed by Europe anyway, and Scotland, Wales and Ireland now have their own governments, so what do they do all day? - Oh yes make pots of money for themselves...

 

Don't forget the multi nattionals and the wonderful 'free market' Anna. The power and influence they exert is massive.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Mister M

[Anna B]

The lazy sods. They moan about and condemn jobseekers getting a pittance as scroungers. They judge others by their own standards. And I include Mark Hoban in that

 

---------- Post added 23-02-2015 at 10:40 ----------

 

 

Don't forget the multi nattionals and the wonderful 'free market' Anna. The power and influence they exert is massive.

 

Very true. The system is rotten to the core. But nothing ever gets done about it. No wonder Russell Brand says don't vote - but that's no solution either.