FROME MP David Warburton, ‘will avoid punishment’ after apologising for breaching the MPs’ code of conduct, when he was given a £150,000 loan from a Russian-born businessman to buy a property for himself and his wife, that he did not register.
An investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Stone, found David Warburton MP breached the MPs’ code of conduct receiving the loan from an off-shore foundation based in the Seychelles linked to the Russian-born businessman in August 2017, that he did not register.
He then proceeded to support the businessman with a reference to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
David Warburton who was elected as MP for Somerton and Frome in 2015, paid the loan back by March 2022 and said, “he did not register the loan because it was entirely unconnected with either my role as an MP or any parliamentary activities. The loan ‘in no way’ ever influenced my words or actions as a Member.”
The commissioner for standards Kathryn Stone said he should have registered the loan “because an onlooker might have reasonably thought that at the time the loan was provided it had the potential to influence Mr Warburton’s words or actions as a Member, meaning he had breached the section of the MPs’ code of conduct about registering interests.”
In the investigation, Kathryn Stone declared she is ‘satisfied’ the loan had ‘not influenced’ David Warburton’s words or actions as an MP. However, she ruled that it should still have been declared in the register of members’ interests.
As well as receiving the loan, David Warburton wrote to the FCA in March 2021 giving a reference for the Russian-born businessman saying he was sending, “a reference on behalf of [him].” Adding that, “in my judgment he is extremely capable and an honest and straightforward person whom I trust.”
The investigation found that David Warburton did not breach rules on paid advocacy in writing to the FCA on behalf of the businessman, as he did not seek any action on behalf of him. Both breaches of the MPs’ code of conduct were rectified after David Warburton wrote to the commissioner ‘acknowledging and apologising for the breach.’
David Warburton has agreed to add the loan to the MPs’ Register of Financial Interests.
Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Somerton and Frome, councillor Martin Dimery said, “It is all too easy to make political capital out of David Warburton’s recent problems. The primary role of an MP is to represent all constituency members, regardless of political views.
“In the light of no further action being taken against David and his determination to remain MP for Somerton and Frome, I hope he will resume his parliamentary and constituency duties in full. The people of this constituency have been disadvantaged greatly by a lack of representation for far too long.”
Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Somerton and Frome cllr Sarah Dyke said, “David Warburton is still busy fighting for his own political survival rather than for the people of Somerton and Frome. This ruling confirms he breached parliamentary rules, while he is still under a separate investigation after serious and alarming allegations about his behaviour.
“Local families and pensioners are paying the price for the Conservative government’s chaos and incompetence, with soaring energy bills, food prices and mortgage payments. But David Warburton hasn’t spoken in parliament on behalf of his constituents in almost a year, and hasn’t voted since March.
“Local people deserve better than an MP who is missing in action. They deserve a local champion who will stand up for them and fight for a fair deal.”
An investigation into MP David Warburton, who lost the Conservative party whip in April is ongoing, following sexual misconduct claims and drug use which he denies.
