Tory MP Found in Breach of IPSA Code While Embroiled in Row With Constituent
Andrew Jones, Tory MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has been found in breach of the IPSA Code – specifically the rules which prohibit MPs from undertaking surveys to support campaign activity. A complaint was submitted by a constituent in December regarding Jones collecting voting intention data from his website under the guise of a ‘Health Survey’ for around six months. Though Jones wasn’t going down without a fight…
Jones published a spicy letter to Ed Davey in which he named and accused the complainant – who he incorrectly referred to as a “Lib Dem activist” – of making “false allegations”. The constituent is now threatening to sue Jones for defamation. While Jones wasn’t found to be in breach of Staffing and Business Costs, IPSA has given him a slap on the wrist for his website activity, ordering him to cease the survey immediately. It’s not the first time Mr Jones has been found breaking the rules…
