Latest news with #GeoffreyRobinson
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Former Coventry Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson's spending probed
An investigation has been launched by a parliamentary watchdog into whether former Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson breached spending rules. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) probe would look at his spending for accommodation, office and staffing, it said. Mr Robinson, aged 87, served as MP for Coventry North West from 1976 until was paymaster general between 1997 and 1998 when Tony Blair was prime minister, but resigned after it was revealed he had made a secret interest-free loan to Peter Mandelson. The revelation also led Lord Mandelson to resign from his role as trade secretary at the Robinson stood down as an MP in 2019 saying he would not stand for re-election due to ill health. He also owned the New Statesman magazine from 1996 to 2008 and served as chairman of Jaguar and Coventry City FC. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Watchdog opens probe into ex-MP Geoffrey Robinson over spending rules
A parliamentary watchdog has opened an investigation into whether former Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson has breached spending rules. The probe by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) relates to whether the former MP for Coventry North West breached rules on spending for accommodation, office costs and staffing costs. Ipsa said it would not be publishing any further information until the investigation has concluded. Mr Robinson served as a Labour MP between 1976 and 2019. He was a minister in Tony Blair's first government but resigned in 1998 after it was revealed he had lent £373,000 to Peter Mandelson, who partly bought a home with the interest-free loan. The revelation also led Lord Mandelson to resign from his role as trade secretary at the time. The ex-MP also had a long career in business, having owned the New Statesman magazine until 2008, and serving as chairman of Jaguar Cars in the 1970s.
