DOCSLIB.ORG

Kevin Barron 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Kevin Barron 1 HC 676 Kevin Barron 1 Written evidence received by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards relating to Kevin Barron Written evidence received by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards 2 1. Self-referral letter from Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP to the Commissioner, (undated) received 9 March 2016 2 2. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 21 March 2016 4 3. Letter from Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP to the Commissioner, 5 April 2016 6 4. Appendices to letter of 5 April 2016 7 5. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 20 April 2016 28 6. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 12 May 2016 29 7. Email from Sir Kevin’s office, 9 June 2016 29 8. Letter from the Commissioner to the Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests, 15 June 2016 32 9. Note of telephone call between the Chairman and the Co-ordinator of JPG with the Commissioner, 15 June 2016 33 10. Email from the Co-ordinator, JPG, to the Commissioner’s Office, 17 June 2016 33 11. Letter from the Registrar to the Commissioner, 29 June 2016 34 12. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 30 June 2016 44 13. The Banqueting Regulations, February 2011 44 14. Letter from Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP to the Commissioner, 24 August 2016 51 15. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 30 August 2016 51 16. Interview with Sir Kevin Barron, 9 June 2016 54 HC 676 Kevin Barron 2 Written evidence received by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards 1. Self-referral letter from Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP to the Commissioner, (undated) received 9 March 2016 You may be aware of an article published in the Daily Telegraph today entitled “MPs Standards Chief in breach of Rules” this refers to a position I held as a Parliamentary advisor to the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group. The article centres on the use of catering facilities in the house for one breakfast meeting and two dinners, where members of the group and Members of Parliament met to discuss the pharmaceutical industry in the UK. These three meetings were just a small proportion of the meetings I attended in this role but the only ones hosted in Parliament. The relationship I had as an advisor was for twenty hours a year and the agreement was that a direct payment would be made by the JPG to the [charity] in my constituency. My own understanding is that due to the fact that I made no personal gain and all the fees were paid to a charity, I had not breached the rules on usage of parliamentary facilities for personal or business use. It is a matter of record that I followed the rules in registering this interest and that I deposited an agreement for the provision of services, as the rules required. In light of the allegations that I may have breached House of Commons code of conduct or rules, I refer myself to you for you to consider whether any breaches of the rules or the code of conduct have taken place. Accompanied with this letter is copies of all correspondence with the JPG during the time in question. You may wish to know I have recused myself from both the Standards & Privileges committee until such time that this matter has been resolved. 9 March 2016 Extracts from the media article Sir Kevin enclosed “Commons watchdog chair Sir Kevin Barron hosted parliamentary events for drugs firm” 9:30pm GMT, 09 March 2016 “The Labour MP who oversees the ethical standards in the Commons agreed a contract with a group of companies that said he would arrange events in Parliament in return for payment - an apparent breach of the rules. Sir Kevin Barron, the chairman of the standards committee, undertook to provide “services”, including sponsoring events in the House of Commons, for the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group in return for thousands of pounds. Since beginning work for the organisation in 2011, Sir Kevin has organised two dinners and a breakfast in Parliament for the pharmaceutical organisation. Parliamentary rules prohibit MPs from using MPs Commons resources to “confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else”.” “Sir Kevin told the Telegraph that his fees from the organisation had all been paid to charity, and therefore he had not breached the Code of Conduct. But last night, Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said that members of the committee needed to be “whiter than white” and even if Sir Kevin has not personally received the money, the arrangement was still a breach of the rules. “It’s incredible that the chairman of the Commons standards committee could get themselves into such a situation, even if he is giving the money to charity.” “Giving the money to charity is not the issue. The issue is that the rules are there to be complied with. He has power of judging whether other people have not met the rules, he can only do that if he is whiter than white in meeting the rules himself”.” HC 676 Kevin Barron 3 “Sir Kevin told the Telegraph that he did not believe had he broken any rules. He said that he had made “absolutely no personal gain” from the arrangement because the company had given the money to charity. The disclosure is likely to fuel calls for the standards committee, which Sir Kevin heads, to reform.” “Sir Kevin has lodged several contracts with the Parliamentary authorities regarding his work for the JPG. One, dated 14th September 2012, sets out that the MP will be paid up to £5,000 per annum. It then described the “services we expect Kevin Barron to provide”. This includes that they should be able to meet Sir Kevin three times a year to “discuss key topics” and that they “may look to hold the occasional event in the House of Commons which he may sponsor/host”. It concludes by saying that the firms do not expect Sir Kevin to engage in “any form of advocacy”. In June 2011, Sir Kevin arranged a breakfast meeting for five people in the House of Commons’ dining room for the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group. Four months later, he arranged a dinner for 10 people in the same place. This was followed by another dinner for 12 people in July 2013. House of Commons rules governing the conditions of hire for functions and events say that “no part of the venue ... may be used for direct or indirect financial or material gain”. Separately, the Commons code of conduct says that “members shall ensure their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties. It should not confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else”. Sir Kevin declared his work for the JPS in the commons register of members’ interests. Sir Kevin said that he agreed the “arrangement” with the JPG because of his “long term interest in the pharmaceutical industry”. He said that the JPG had made three directly to a charity in his constituency, totalling £9,000.” Other attachments to Sir Kevin’s letter Sir Kevin enclosed 36 pages of evidence. I reproduce here only those which are not repeated elsewhere in the written evidence. Letter from Sir Kevin Barron to the Registrar, 3 May 2011 I have been asked to act as a parliamentary adviser to the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group, to which I agree. It is a remunerated role, all proceeds going to [name of charity] in my constituency. I enclose a signed agreement by the Group and a copy of the duties expected of me. Enclosure with letter of 3 May 2011: Agreement for provision of services Between Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP And the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group [name] Co-ordinator JPG [address] We pay up to £5,000 per annum The services we expect Kevin Barron to provide are the following: HC 676 Kevin Barron 4 that members meet with him approximately three times a year to discuss key topics. We expect such meetings to be in central London at a mutually convenient time and venue and an agenda to be set, with his input, in advance. In addition we may look to hold the occasional event at the House of Commons which he may sponsor/host. We do not expect Sir Kevin to engage in any form of advocacy as defined in the Resolution of the House of Commons of 6 November 1995. Signed [….] Letter from [name redacted] on behalf of JPG to Sir Kevin, dated 19 May 2011 On behalf of the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group, I am delighted to provide a cheque to the amount of £3,000 toward the [charity].1 I look forward to seeing you at the MP’s breakfast on 8 June at the House of Commons. [Name redacted] 2. Letter from the Commissioner to Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP, 21 March 2016 Thank you for your letter of 9 March 2016. You asked me to consider whether any breach of the code or the rules has occurred in connection with your work for the Japanese Pharmaceutical Group (JPG). I have decided to begin a formal inquiry. In essence, I will investigate the allegation that you agreed, in return for payment to charity, to arrange access to Parliament and/or parliamentarians and that this was contrary to the rules of the House. My decision to begin an inquiry is based on the evidence you sent with your letter of 9 March and the Daily Telegraph article of the same date.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Barron V Collins 2017 EWHC 162 (QC)
    Neutral Citation Number: [2017] EWHC 162 (QB) Case No: HQ14D04882 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London, WC2A 2LL Date: 06/02/2017 Before: MR JUSTICE WARBY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Between: (1) SIR KEVIN BARRON MP Claimant (2) RT HON JOHN HEALEY MP (3) SARAH CHAMPION - and - JANE COLLINS MEP Defendant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gavin Millar QC and Sara Mansoori (instructed by Steel & Shamash) for the Claimants The defendant did not appear, but Mr Mick Burchill was permitted to make representations on her behalf. Hearing date: 31st January 2017 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judgment Approved by the court for handing down (subject to editorial corrections) If this Judgment has been emailed to you it is to be treated as ‘read-only’. You should send any suggested amendments as a separate Word document. Judgment Approved by the court for handing down Barron v Collins [2017] EWHC 162 (QB) (subject to editorial corrections) Mr Justice Warby : 1. This has been a hearing to assess compensation pursuant to the Defamation Act 1996, following the claimants’ acceptance of an offer of amends. BACKGROUND 2. The three claimants, Sir Kevin Barron, Rt. Hon. John Healey, and Sarah Champion, are all Labour Party MPs for constituencies in and around Rotherham, Yorkshire. The defendant, Ms Collins, is the MEP for Yorkshire, a member of the UK Independence Party. The claim arises from a speech made by Ms Collins at the UKIP Party Conference on 26 September 2014. The speech was broadcast live on the BBC Parliament channel, and republished in whole or in part on the UKIP website, Twitter, and the Press Association Mediapoint wire service.
    [Show full text]
  • Conduct of Ms Emily Thornberry
    House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges Conduct of Ms Emily Thornberry Eleventh Report of Session 2005–06 Report and Appendix, together with formal minutes Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 27 June 2006 HC 1367 Published on 28 June 2006 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 The Committee on Standards & Privileges The Committee on Standards and Privileges is appointed by the House of Commons to oversee the work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; to examine the arrangements proposed by the Commissioner for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members’ Interests and any other registers of interest established by the House; to review from time to time the form and content of those registers; to consider any specific complaints made in relation to the registering or declaring of interests referred to it by the Commissioner; to consider any matter relating to the conduct of Members, including specific complaints in relation to alleged breaches in the Code of Conduct which have been drawn to the Committee’s attention by the Commissioner; and to recommend any modifications to the Code of Conduct as may from time to time appear to be necessary. Current membership Rt Hon Sir George Young Bt MP (Conservative, North West Hampshire) (Chairman) Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP (Labour, Rother Valley) Rt Hon David Curry MP (Conservative, Skipton & Ripon) Mr Andrew Dismore MP (Labour, Hendon) Nick Harvey MP (Liberal Democrat, North Devon) Mr Brian Jenkins MP (Labour, Tamworth) Mr Elfyn Llwyd MP (Plaid Cymru, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy) Mr Chris Mullin MP (Labour, Sunderland South) The Hon Nicholas Soames MP (Conservative, Mid Sussex) Dr Alan Whitehead MP (Labour, Southampton Test) Powers The constitution and powers of the Committee are set out in Standing Order No.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study in Political Complexity
    THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD A.LENT LABOUR'S TRANSFORMATION 1983 -1989: A STUDY IN POLITICAL COMPLEXITY THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE Of PhD. 1997 (/ (., "", './1",' . ";~j'- i LABOUR'S TRANSFORMATION 1983 -1989: A STUDY IN POLITICAL COMPLEXITY ADAM LENT THESIS SUBMITTED FOR TilE DEGREE OF PhD. DEPARTl\IENT OF POLITICS SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY AUGUST 1997 ii CONTENTS Acknowledgements III Abstract v A Note on References VII 1. Introduction 1 PART I: COMPLEXITY AND POLITICS 2. Towards Complexity in Political Analysis 14 3. Complexity and Analysis of Labour in the 1980s 77 PART n: LABOUR'S TRANSFORMATION 1983-1989 4. The Early Days of the Leadership 126 5. The Miners, Militant and the Rates 184 6. Organisational Change 232 7. The New Agenda 270 8. Election Defeat and Leadership Challenge 311 9. Policy Reform and the New Establishment 354 10. Conclusion: Acknowledging Simplification 400 References. 424 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank: the following for their help, support and advice regarding this thesis: Tim Bale, Iulian Bass, David Blunkett, Roger Charlton, Andrew Chipperfield, David Donald, Daniel Fox, Andrew Gamble, Stephen George, Alan Haworth, Bill Hughes, Tim Jordan, Mike Kenny, Sheena MacKenzie, Hugh McLachlan, Patrick Seyd, Eric Shaw, Martin Smith, Gary Taylor and to all those who attended and contributed to seminars at which I presented papers based on this thesis. The libraries used in this research were as follows: Sheffield University Library; Sheffield Hallam University Library; Sheffield City Library; the library at The Museum of Labour History; Glasgow Caledonian University Library; the British Library of Political and Economic Science; and the newspapers and periodicals branch of the British Library.
    [Show full text]
  • Fitting the Bill: Bringing Commons Legislation Committees Into Line with Best Practice
    DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE FITTING THE BILL BRINGING COMMONS LEGISLATION COMMITTEES INTO LINE WITH BEST PRACTICE MEG RUSSELL, BOB MORRIS AND PHIL LARKIN Fitting the Bill: Bringing Commons legislation committees into line with best practice Meg Russell, Bob Morris and Phil Larkin Constitution Unit June 2013 ISBN: 978-1-903903-64-3 Published by The Constitution Unit School of Public Policy UCL (University College London) 29/30 Tavistock Square London WC1H 9QU Tel: 020 7679 4977 Fax: 020 7679 4978 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/ ©The Constitution Unit, UCL 2013 This report is sold subject to the condition that is shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. First Published June 2013 2 Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 4 Executive summary ............................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7 Part I: The current system .................................................................................................... 9 The Westminster legislative process in
    [Show full text]
  • Otc Medicines Independent Report Prepared by Standout Media Limited for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Ics
    OTC MEDICINES INDEPENDENT REPORT PREPARED BY STANDOUT MEDIA LIMITED FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE AND BASSETLAW ICS DECEMBER 2018 2 OTC MEDICINES INDEPENDENT REPORT Contents Introduction and purpose 3 About the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw area and its population 4 Who was involved? 5 About the insight and engagement campaign 6 Who were our target audiences? 7 Methodology 7 Toolkits 9 About the people who engaged with us 11 Patient and public survey 14 What did the patients and public tell us? 16 Staff engagement 19 Community engagement 21 Social media 22 Website statistics 24 How our insight campaign compares 26 What we propose – next steps 27 Awards 29 Appendices Appendix 1 – SYB ICS partner organisations 30 Appendix 2 – Rotherham CCG Start Well, Choose Well, Stay Well campaign assets 32 Appendix 3 – SYB ICS Citizens’ Panel 33 Appendix 4 – Patient and public survey results in graphs 34 Appendix 5 – Prescriber survey results in graphs 41 Appendix 6 – Doncaster prescriber survey results 45 Appendix 7 – Barnsley consultation report 67 Appendix 8 – GP practices by CCG area 89 Appendix 9 – Community pharmacies by CCG area 95 Appendix 10 – Parish councils by CCG area 105 Appendix 11 – Libraries by CCG area 107 Appendix 12 – Community centres by CCG area 109 Appendix 13 – ONS data by CCG area 112 Appendix 14 – MPs by CCG area 117 Appendix 15 – Comms toolkit 118 3 OTC MEDICINES INDEPENDENT REPORT Introduction and purpose In early 2018 NHS England carried out a public consultation on reducing prescribing of over the counter (OTC) medicines for minor, short-term health concerns which could save the NHS high costs and encourage more people to self-care.
    [Show full text]
  • Politica Sobria”
    L’addio di Blair e la “politica sobria” di Leo GIUNTI Oggi che ascoltiamo l’appello per una “politica sobria” e per una riforma dei suoi strumenti, non possiamo non volgerci con rispetto e ammirazione al modello dei Parlamenti europei. L’Aula di Westminster, dove con asciutta eleganza, ma anche nobiltà di accenti, si è chiusa una grande carriera politica. In occasione del tradizionale Premier question time del mercoledì, mezz’ora di confronto corretto, efficace, franco e asciutto. Che ha toccato tutti i temi dell’attualità. Ed è stato anche l’occasione per il congedo, di fronte a una straordinaria classe parlamentare. Che ha mostrato la sua compattezza nell’esibizione di toni degni del più elegante e aristocratico club. L’omaggio asciutto del leader dell’opposizione al Primo Ministro uscente, che “senza ombra di dubbio ha fatto i più alti sforzi a servizio della nazione”. Cui il Premier ha replicato ringraziando questi sentimenti generosi. “Nonostante tutti i disaccordi politici tra noi, è sempre essenziale poter lavorare su temi di importanza nazionale, al di là delle divisioni politiche, e io - ha detto il Premier - ho sempre trovato il leader dell’opposizione perfettamente giusto, corretto e cortese nei miei confronti”. Una battuta di pochi secondi, che descrive una realtà dell’Aula verde dei Comuni, che per noi è l’auspicio di una buona politica futura. Un auspicio che proprio in questi giorni, e per essere compreso da un pubblico e dalla stampa italiani, è stato proposto, ripetuto e ribadito, nel discorso di Walter Veltroni a Torino, con frasi ricche di aggettivi e piene di immagini, percorrendo la lancetta dei minuti la stessa distanza che oltre Manica aveva percorso quella dei secondi.
    [Show full text]
  • Sir Kevin Barron MP and Others -V- Jane Collins
    Neutral Citation Number: Case No: HQ14D04882 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London, WC2A 2LL Date: 16/05/2016 Before : MR JUSTICE WARBY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Between : (1) SIR KEVIN BARRON MP Claimants (2) RT HON JOHN HEALEY MP (3) SARAH CHAMPION - and – JANE COLLINS MEP Defendant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gavin Millar QC and Sara Mansoori (instructed by Steel & Shamash) for the Claimants The Defendant in person, assisted by Mr Mullen as “McKenzie” Friend Hearing date: 16 May 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judgment Approved by the court for handing down (subject to editorial corrections) Judgment Approved by the court for handing down Barron & Others v Collins (subject to editorial corrections) Mr Justice Warby : Introduction 1. Listed for hearing before me today are two applications in this action for damages for slander and libel. However, the defendant has recently applied to stay further proceedings against her until after the European Parliament has expressed an opinion on whether the proceedings violate the immunities enjoyed by the defendant in her capacity as a Member of the European Parliament. It is clear that where a request for the Parliament to defend an MEP’s immunity is made by the MEP, and the court is notified that the procedure to defend immunity is under way the Court is bound to stay its own process. In this case the grant of such a stay would risk a considerable waste of time and costs. That would not deter me from carrying out the duty imposed by European law, if I was convinced that it applied on the facts of the case.
    [Show full text]
  • Whole Day Download the Hansard
    Tuesday Volume 677 16 June 2020 No. 70 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 16 June 2020 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2020 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 623 16 JUNE 2020 624 changes to the UK insolvency framework will result in House of Commons net benefits to business of over £1.9 billion in today’s prices, which is a much needed boost for businesses at Tuesday 16 June 2020 this uncertain time. Aaron Bell: I welcome the Secretary of State back to The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock the Dispatch Box after his recent illness. Businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across the country face the PRAYERS risk of insolvency, especially those with business models that are dependent on socialising. In addition to what [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] he has set out, which I welcome, can he tell us what Virtual participation in proceedings commenced (Order, Companies House proposes to do to support businesses 4 June). at threat of insolvency? [NB: [V] denotes a Member participating virtually.] Alok Sharma: My hon. Friend raises an important Speaker’s Statement point, and this is part of the Bill. While Companies House has extended the period for filing accounts, we Mr Speaker: Today marks the fourth anniversary of will give businesses the maximum period available under the death of our friend and colleague Jo Cox, who was the powers in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance murdered on her way to meet constituents in her Batley Bill for filing their accounts, confirmation statements and Spen constituency.
    [Show full text]
  • General Election 12Th December
    SNAPSHOT OF RESULTS IN THE NORTHERN REGIONS - NORTH EAST, NORTH WEST AND YORKSHIRE & HUMBER What does a Conservative government mean for housing? The Conservative Party has gained significant ground in Northern constituencies, making 30 gains, and taking control of constituencies which have been safe Labour seats for many decades. The last time the North had such a significant presence within a governing party at Westminster was after Tony Blair’s third victory in 2005. It is worth considering the potential impact of the national and regional results for housing in the North. Below, we re-cap what the Conservative manifesto promised on housing and regional investment and outline key results – where seats have changed parties, or new candidates have been elected Likely policy priorities for the new government The Conservative manifesto promised the levelling up of the regions and investment in Northern infrastructure and the Northern Powerhouse. With Conservative gains in many traditional Labour constituencies in the North, this pledge takes on greater resonance for those newly elected Northern Conservative MPs : we can expect the new government to have a greater stake and interest in the region. These are the headlines from the Conservative manifesto • A continued pledge to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s – but no target for social housing within the overall number. • Commitment to renew the Affordable Homes Programme. • Incentives for homeownership will be key to housing policy. • Full implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act, and to end rough sleeping. • For private renters, a continued promise to scrap Section 21 and end no-fault evictions.
    [Show full text]
  • Kevin Barron
    House of Commons Committee on Standards Kevin Barron Second Report of Session 2016–17 Report, together with an appendix and formal minutes relating to the report Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 19 October 2016 HC 676 Published on 20 October 2016 by authority of the House of Commons The Committee on Standards The Committee on Standards is appointed by the House of Commons to oversee the work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; to examine the arrangements proposed by the Commissioner for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members’ Interests and any other registers of interest established by the House; to review from time to time the form and content of those registers; to consider any specific complaints made in relation to the registering or declaring of interests referred to it by the Commissioner; to consider any matter relating to the conduct of Members, including specific complaints in relation to alleged breaches in the Code of Conduct which have been drawn to the Committee’s attention by the Commissioner; and to recommend any modifications to the Code of Conduct as may from time to time appear to be necessary. Current membership Kevin Barron MP (Labour, Rother Valley) (Chair)* Sir Paul Beresford MP (Conservative, Mole Valley) Tom Blenkinsop MP (Labour, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) Mrs Jane Burgess (Lay member) Miss Charmaine Burton (Lay member) Mr Christopher Chope MP (Conservative, Christchurch) Mrs Sharon Darcy (Lay member) Mr Dominic Grieve MP (Conservative, Beaconsfield) Mr Peter Jinman (Lay member) Susan Elan Jones MP (Labour, Clwyd South) Dr Arun Midha (Lay member) Mr Walter Rader (Lay member) Sir Peter Rubin (Lay member) Tommy Sheppard MP (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh East) * On 10 March 2016 Kevin Barron stood aside from all Committee proceedings until the matter under consideration in this report was resolved.
    [Show full text]
  • High Court Judgment Template
    Case No: HQ14D04882 Neutral Citation Number: [2017] EWHC 162 (QB) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London, WC2A 2LL Date: 06/02/2017 Before : MR JUSTICE WARBY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Between : (1) SIR KEVIN BARRON MP Claimant (2) RT HON JOHN HEALEY MP (3) SARAH CHAMPION - and - JANE COLLINS MEP Defendant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gavin Millar QC and Sara Mansoori (instructed by Steel & Shamash) for the Claimants The defendant did not appear, but Mr Mick Burchill was permitted to make representations on her behalf. Hearing date: 31st January 2017 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judgment Mr Justice Warby : 1. This has been a hearing to assess compensation pursuant to the Defamation Act 1996, following the claimants’ acceptance of an offer of amends. BACKGROUND 2. The three claimants, Sir Kevin Barron, Rt. Hon. John Healey, and Sarah Champion, are all Labour Party MPs for constituencies in and around Rotherham, Yorkshire. The defendant, Ms Collins, is the MEP for Yorkshire, a member of the UK Independence Party. The claim arises from a speech made by Ms Collins at the UKIP Party Conference on 26 September 2014. The speech was broadcast live on the BBC Parliament channel, and republished in whole or in part on the UKIP website, Twitter, and the Press Association Mediapoint wire service. 3. On 29 April 2015 I gave judgment after the trial of preliminary issues in the action: [2015] EWHC 1125 (QB). The full text of Ms Collins’ speech is set out in paragraph [9] of that judgment, in which I held that it bore three defamatory meanings about each of the claimants: (1) That they knew many of the details of the scandalous child sexual exploitation that took place in Rotherham over a period of sixteen years, in the course of which an estimated 1,400 children were raped, beaten, plied with alcohol and drugs, and threatened with violence by men of Asian origin, yet deliberately chose not to intervene but to allow the abuse to continue.
    [Show full text]
  • Barron V Vines 2016 EWHC 1226
    Neutral Citation Number: [2016] EWHC 1226 (QB) Case No: HQ15D00453 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London, WC2A 2LL Date: 02/06/2016 Before: MR JUSTICE WARBY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Between: (1) SIR KEVIN BARRON MP Claimants (2) RT HON JOHN HEALEY MP - and - CAVEN VINES Defendant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gavin Millar QC and Sara Mansoori (instructed by Steel and Shamash) for the Claimants The Defendant in person Hearing date 18 May 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judgment Approved by the court for handing down (subject to editorial corrections) If this Judgment has been emailed to you it is to be treated as ‘read-only’. You should send any suggested amendments as a separate Word document. Judgment Approved by the court for handing down Barron v Vines [2016] EWHC 1226 (QB) (subject to editorial corrections) Mr Justice Warby : 1. My task in this judgment is to assess damages for a libel of the claimants published by the defendant via a broadcast TV interview in January 2015. The claim 2. The claimants, Sir Kevin Barron and the Rt Hon John Healey, are Labour MPs for constituencies in the Rotherham area. The defendant, Caven Vines, was the leader of the UKIP group on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC). 3. As is well-known, Rotherham was at the centre of a child sexual exploitation scandal which came to prominence on the publication in August 2014 of a report commissioned by RMBC from Professor Alexis Jay. She concluded that over a sixteen year period some 1,400 children had been abused by Asian men. The first public accounts of the scandal emerged in September 2012, in articles by Andrew Norfolk published in The Times.
    [Show full text]