Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox is STILL working as a barrister during Parliamentary time – taking part in BVI Zoom hearing with his backdrop obscured after criticism of use of his Westminster office
- He took part in a Zoom hearing for an inquiry into corruption this afternoon
- He is working on British Virgin Islands investigation into financial irregularities
- Hearing took place after difficult PMQs for Boris Johnson in Commons
- Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: ‘Geoffrey Cox is taking the mick’
Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox was facing fresh anger today after working as a high-paid barrister while Parliament is sitting.
The Torridge and West Devon MP was accused of ‘taking the mick’ after he took part in a Zoom hearing for an inquiry into corruption in the British Virgin Islands this afternoon.
He sparked a huge political row and heaped pressure on Boris Johnson after it was revealed he voted remotely from the Caribbean during lockdown while working his £1million second job.
He also conducted a hearing at the corruption commission by video-link from his parliamentary office, prompting calls for an investigation.
Mr Cox took part in today’s hearing with his backdrop blurred, showing only the outline of a portrait. But it did not appear to the same office as before.
It came hours after Boris Johnson endured a difficult Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, backed by Tory MPs.
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: ‘Geoffrey Cox is taking the mick and the Prime Minister is letting him get away with it.
‘This is a test of leadership for Boris Johnson and whether he is serious about tackling corruption and stopping his MPs from having dodgy second jobs instead of representing their constituents.’
The Torridge and West Devon MP was accused of ‘taking the mick’ after he took part in a Zoom hearing for an inquiry into corruption in the British Virgin Islands this afternoon.
Sir Geoffrey had previously been referred to the Commons standards tsar over claims he ‘broke the rules’ by using his parliamentary office to offer legal advice to the British Virgin Islands
Mr Cox has attempted to ride out the storm, issuing just one statement since it erupted, and making a few small appearances in the Commons.
In his statement Sir Geoffrey said he did not believe he broke the rules by on one occasion ‘being in his office while participating in an online hearing in the public inquiry and voting in the House of Commons’.
‘He understands that the matter has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner and he will fully cooperate with her investigation,’ the statement said.
‘He does not believe that he breached the rules but will of course accept the judgment of the Parliamentary Commissioner or of the Committee on the matter.’
The most recent register of financial interests showed that Sir Geoffrey will earn more than £800,000 from Withers, an international law firm appointed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI) government in January.
Sir Geoffrey also disclosed in the register that from September 28 this year until further notice, he will be paid £400,000 a year by Withers for up to 41 hours of work per month.
In the British Virgin Islands commission of inquiry hearing on September 14, Sir Geoffrey can be heard in the online recording telling the commissioner: ‘Forgive my absence during some of the morning – I’m afraid the bell went off.’
The bell referred to could be the division bell that sounds off across the parliament estate to alert MPs to a vote taking place.
Earlier in the proceedings, Sir Geoffrey appears to vacate his seat for about 20 minutes at around the two-hour mark in the video footage.
His Commons voting record shows that he voted in person on six occasions on September 14 to push through the Government’s health and social care levy.