Angela Rayner has been referred to Parliament’s top rule enforcer over claims she lied about Rishi Sunak during a recent LBC show she was guest hosting.
Speaking to listeners, she slammed Rishi Sunak for using a private jet to return to London following the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
She said: “And he left on the private jet as well.”
Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson has now referred the claim to Daniel Greenberg, Parliament’s Commissioner for Standards, on the grounds of dishonesty.
Mr Clarkson explains that the PM: “Did not leave or arrive at Conservative Party Conference on a private jet as Ms Rayner implies, but drove to and from Manchester instead.”
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He also digs at the Labour Party, whose “trade union allies” launched “politically motivated” railway strikes, making it impossible to return from Manchester by train.
The letter also hoists Angela Rayner on her own petard, as she has frequently spoken out about telling the truth in politics.
The Tory MP writes: “Honesty and integrity matter in public life.
“As Ms Rayner said in her own words ‘honesty, integrity and truth matter in politics’, ‘honesty matters’, and ‘we should all be accountable’.”
The MP rulebook states the code of conduct applies to MPs “in all aspects of their public life”.
Rules cite the Nolan Principles of Public Life, which state: “Holders of public office should be truthful.”
Mr Clarkson concludes that on this basis Ms Rayner has broken important MP rules “and should be held to account”.
He demands Mr Greenberg look into the rule breach and take “appropriate steps to ensure Ms Rayner corrects the record”.
Labour has frequently criticised Rishi Sunak’s use of private jets, with the PM arguing it’s often the most efficient use of his time.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was criticised during party conference after it emerged he’d taken a BA flight to Manchester because of the train strikes.
While flying to Manchester wouldn’t have usually made headlines, the fact the Tories were understood to be planning to slash HS2’s route to Manchester.
Labour was contacted for comment.
