Jack Straw and Sir Malcom Rifkind were duped by reporters from the Daily Telegraph and Channel 4 who posed as staff for a Chinese firm, looking to gain access to politicians and senior establishment figures.
Both men have now reported themselves to the Parliamentary Standards Committee, with Straw saying he had fallen into a “very clever trap” and Rifkind acknowledging his comments had been “silly.”
The men were caught on camera offering access to high profile figures in exchange for cash.
Straw was reportedly heard to say he worked “under the radar” to try and influence EU rules on behalf of a firm which paid him £60,000 per year, while Rifkind said he could gain “useful access” to British ambassadors across the globe.
Straw was also filmed saying: “So normally, if I'm doing a speech or something, it's £5,000 a day, that's what I charge.”
Rifkind, the Conservative MP for Kensington, claimed to be self-employed, despite earning an MP’s salary.
“I am self-employed – so nobody pays me a salary. I have to earn my income,” he said, adding that his usual fee for half a day's work was “somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £8,000.”
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The former foreign secretaries’ actions will be scrutinized by their respective parties, with Straw being immediately suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party at his own request.
Rifkind, on the other hand, is not facing any questions, and staunchly denies the claims, telling the BBC the allegations did not affect his role as chairman of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, which oversees the work of the security services.
He further told the BBC the allegations were “unfounded” and he had “nothing to be embarrassed about.” He claimed the conversation caught on film was a “preliminary” discussion and he had not accepted any offer from the firm.
Rifkind admitted, however, that it was “silly” to say he was not paid a salary.
“Of course I receive a salary as a Member of Parliament but I was referring to my business interests, from none of which I receive a salary. I receive payment for services I provide,” he said.
Straw suspended himself from the Parliamentary Labour Party, who said they are aware of the “disturbing allegations” made against him.
Both men say they have requested transcripts from Channel 4 and the Telegraph, but have not received them so far.
The fictitious company, called PMR, delivered invitations to 12 MPs with “significant outside interests” and “plenty of money,” saying they wanted “influential British politicians to join its advisory board.”
Channel 4 added that many of the politicians approached did not respond.
The documentary, called Politicians for Hire, will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 20:00 GMT on Monday.
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