Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Leyton and Wanstead MP Calvin Bailey is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner for allegedly influencing another MP’s inquiry.
Bailey is accused of “lobbying [of] the commissioner in a manner calculated or intended to influence his consideration of whether a breach of the code of conduct has occurred,” according to an investigation against the Labour MP that was initiated on Monday, October 6.
Now, Commissioner David Greenberg will investigate whether Bailey, who was elected in July of last year, has violated Waltham Forest’s MP code of conduct rule 14.
The rule in question reads:
“Members must not lobby a member of the committee on standards, the independent expert panel or the parliamentary commissioner for standards, or their staff, in a manner calculated or intended to influence their consideration of whether a breach of the code of conduct has occurred, or in relation to the imposition of a sanction.”
There is no indication that the rules have been infringed just because an inquiry is underway.
Bailey’s spokeswoman stated that he was unable to comment on the inquiry until it was finished.
At the same time, Commissioner Greenberg is looking into claims of racial harassment against a Sky News journalist by former Reform MP James McMurdock.
The lone letter “N” is said to have been put by the incumbent independent for South Basildon and East Thurrock beneath an X/Twitter tweet that was critical of political correspondent Mhairi Aurora.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty accused McMurdock of enabling a “N Tower” chain in which people collectively use a highly insulting racial epithet in several postings or comments, and he wrote to Greenberg to demand a probe.
McMurdock is being investigated for possibly violating House of Commons code of conduct rule eleven.
This rule states:
“Members shall never undertake any action which would cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons as a whole, or of its members generally.”
Bailey, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for 24 years, has been outspoken against racism and far-right politics since gaining public office.
In his maiden speech, he warned of the rise of right-wing populists like the Reform Party, saying:
“Those voices are present in our House and vocal in our politics, and we must challenge them openly to prevent those actors from fostering anger, hate and division within our communities.
I fear it is our greatest threat to democracy, and we must be fundamental in our moderation. We must challenge those behaviours without fear, openly, separating them from the underlying issues.”
And in a comment piece for Echo following the vandalism of mosques in Waltham Forest earlier this year, Bailey wrote “malign state actors” were attempting to undermine social cohesion in the UK.
Bailey grew up in South London after moving there from Zambia as a young child. In his youth, he developed a close friendship with the older brother of Stephen Lawrence, and has previously told reporters he was left “shaken and angered” by Stephen’s racist murder.
The former RAF commander has also received an MBE for his work on supporting humanitarian efforts in Haiti and the Philippines, and a US air force medal for resupplying a team that had been hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
What does the parliamentary standards commissioner investigate?
Looking into concerns regarding the conduct and propriety of MPs, which includes matters relating to misuse of financial interests, failure to declare interests, breaches of the rules on lobbying, and inappropriate behaviour. Monitoring the Register of Members’ Financial Interests to ensure that MPs are showing relevant financial interests.
Investigating allegations of harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme when the alleged respondent is an MP. Initiating investigations themselves or on receipt of a complaint or self-referral by an MP.
Reporting their findings to the Commons Select Committee on Standards, who decide any sanction or disciplinary actions in relation to the very serious breaches of the Code of Conduct. For very minor breaches of the Code of Conduct, MPs may be permitted to address their behaviour directly without referral to the Committee.
