Birmingham MP Jess Phillips under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner

Birmingham MP Jess Phillips is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog in relation to registeration of interests and outside earnings.

According to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Phillips is being investigated in relation to the “registration of interests under category one of the guide to the rules - employment and earnings”.

On the Parliament website, the investigation is listed under code 14 of the The Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament. According to the Code: “Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

“They shall always be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its Committees, and in any communications with Ministers, Members, public officials or public office holders.”

Labour MP Phillips was previously investigated by the watchdog for failing to register outside earnings, including guest appearance on TV show Have I Got News For You. Regarding this instance she told the commissioner in May 2022: “I appreciate your assertion that this was not an attempt to mislead but instead failures on my part to act in a timely manner with my administration. Regardless of the motivation however the result is the same and that is that I breached the rules that are set out and for this I am truly sorry.”

No details about the current breach have been revealed, but Sky News said it relates to a TV appearance by the Home Office shadow minister where she waived her fee. MP Jess Phillips has been contacted for a comment.