Lib Dem Deputy Leader Simon Hughes under investigation by Parliamentary watchdog over donations

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has begun an investigation into donations worth almost £25,000 made to Simon Hughes MP’s local party following a complaint from the Leader of Southwark Council. The Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards confirmed to us that Hughes was under investigation, but would only say that it pertained to “declaration, registration and lobbying”.

However LabourList understands that the investigation is in relation to donations from two companies – Southwark Metals and City Cruises.

The Lib Dem Deputy Leader asked questions and spoke about both companies in Parliament after his local party had received donations from the companies worth thousands of pounds, without registering these donations in his interests or declaring the interests when speaking.

Meanwhile, last night London Regional Lib Dems had their Christmas Cruise on the Thames. The boat they were on was operated by City Cruises.

The speaker? Simon Hughes MP.

All for a very reasonable £30 per head…

Update: This post originally stated that the donations in question were “cash donations”. We’ve had a call from his office, stating that they don’t accept cash donations and neither do their local party. They did however confirm that an investigation is ongoing. We’re happy to place both of those facts on the record.