No 10 won’t back Labour’s plans to ban MPs from paid consultancies or directorships

No 10 has said it will not back Labour’s plans to ban MPs from paid consultancies and directorships. 

A spokesman for Downing Street said Wednesday’s vote on the issue was a matter for the House of Commons, and that it would be for the government whips to decide their position. 

However it was implied that the Prime Minister did not personally support the motion, as the spokesperson explained: “The PM was asked about this just last week, about second jobs… That’s been a long-standing position which can bring benefits to constituents. Obviously there are rules in place which guide those and anyone that’s found to have broken them should face the requisite punishment.”

He added that the rules on second jobs are already “clear, and there are clear punishments for those that break them. The rules are set by the house, and it’s for them to consider.”