LONDON — The British government announced Monday that it had launched an investigation of four members of the House of Lords after they allegedly told undercover journalists they would be willing to influence legislation in return for money.
The accusations in the Sunday Times newspaper threw Britain’s upper chamber into turmoil and touched off a brouhaha that some are already calling “Erminegate,” after the delicate trim on the crimson gowns that the lords and ladies of the House wear on ceremonial occasions.
In an extraordinary scene broadcast on live television, the leader of the House of Lords, who is appointed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, told the assembled “peers of the realm” that an investigation into the allegations was underway, as well as an inquiry into sanction procedures for any member found in violation of the chamber’s code of ethics.
The four accused, all peers belonging to the ruling Labor Party, were approached by reporters masquerading as lobbyists for a foreign businessman who supposedly wanted to open a chain of stores in Britain. The journalists pretended to be seeking help for their client in winning an exemption from a bill that would impose extra business taxes.
The newspaper reported that the four peers appeared willing to take up the fictitious client’s cause to get the legislation amended, for consultants’ fees of up to $150,000.
The majority of the 732 members of the House of Lords are political appointees, named lifelong peers for their public service, expertise or coziness with the ruling party.
