Scott Benton: Press regulator rejects MP’s lobbying scandal complaint

The Times accepted that subterfuge was used for the investigation, but said if an MP was not acting with “selflessness, integrity, accountability and openness”, the public had a right to know.

It also said that the journalists’ line of questioning was “reasonable and in line with the public interest served”.

Ipso said The Times had been investigating previous lobbying scandals and concerns that the gambling industry appeared to be gaining more influence in Westminster, with Mr Benton’s name allegedly mentioned by sources.

The MP had said there was no public interest in the story because it did not expose wrongdoing, and he also complained that the journalists had asked leading questions.

The regulator did not uphold Mr Benton’s complaint, saying: “Given that the investigation had the potential to expose an MP – an individual who represents the interests of the public – breaching parliamentary rules, there was a clear public interest in seeking to verify the claims made by sources.

“The Public Interest portion of the Editors’ Code explicitly references exposing serious impropriety, and raising or contributing to a matter of public debate, including serious cases of impropriety, unethical conduct or incompetence concerning the public.”

Mr Benton was caught on camera telling undercover reporters posing as investors that he was willing to take actions which would break Parliament’s lobbying rules.

Earlier this year, he had the Tory whip withdrawn and, after an investigation by parliamentary authorities, was suspended from the Commons for 35 days.