Valerie responds to motion on Committee on Standards Report

On Monday 11 May 2020 I responded to a Government motion which followed the Committee on Standards’ fourth report of this parliamentary session. I also welcomed the new Chair of the Standards Committee, Chris Bryant MP. You can read my full speech below: 

“I thank the Leader of the House for moving the motion. I, too, welcome the new Chair of the Standards Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant).​

“I agree with the Leader of the House’s statement on the right hon. Member for Bournemouth West (Conor Burns). A Back Bencher at the time of the incident, the right hon. Member has accepted that he made a rash and inappropriate action, for which he has paid a price, in the middle of trade negotiations. He has been asked to apologise in writing to the House for his breaches of the code of conduct by way of a letter to you, Mr Speaker, and to the complainant. He has agreed to that, and I understand from the Leader of the House that he has already done so. In those circumstances, I agree with the statement made by the Leader of the House.”