11:54
Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con)
In 2009, the House resolved that hon. Members should register all outside earnings within 28 days of their receipt, whether connected with their parliamentary duties or not.
For a prolonged period last year, I very much regret that I failed to comply with that rule in respect of my professional earnings as a barrister.
The House has a right to expect of its Members, particularly those on the Standards Committee, as I was, that they will uphold its rules to the fullest extent. For that reason, I have stepped down from the Standards Committee, and I hope that the House will accept my sincere and full-hearted apology for my failure to observe this important rule.
