Rifking Has Fallen On His Sword.

[sandyRoe]

Could he have honourably done anything else?

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/cash-for-access-rifkind-steps-down-as-mp/ar-BBhUCeL

[jno]

Nick Robinson's view: "Rifkind may hope that by going quickly - as MP & intelligence committee chair - he'll able to win disciplinary enquiry & head to the Lords"

[sandyRoe]

I wouldn't go quite that far. That would be cruel and unusual punishment, surely?

[sandyRoe]

That was in reply to Jordyboy. ^
Could Lord Archer be one of his sponsors when he dons the ermine?

[Baldric]

It would appear his "I don't have a Salary" remark was somewhat prophetic!

[mushroom25]

//Ermine, is that the fur of a rat? //

no, the fur of a mustelid.

[sandyRoe]

Meanwhile Straw is to take up employment with a firm he is said to have advised in the past.
Could, 'Do as I say, not as I do', be a new motto for MPs?

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/jack-straw-to-take-job-for-firm-he-lobbied-for-in-commons/ar-BBhU2u7

[andy-hughes]

No, I don't think he could have honourably done anything else. he was caught red-handed, boasting of his free time, and his 'lack of a salary'.

He is a pompous arrogant man, and his career has justly ended in disgrace.

[wired]

Rifking couldn't do much else after he said that he hardly does anything, not a good election speech.Man of Straw will be putting on his Teflon suit while he waits for the House of Lords.

[wired]

Well said Andy

[Ric.ror]

Is Archer still a member of the other place?
I cannot believe he is

[sandyRoe]

As far as I know he is. There doesn't seem to be any way to get rid of embarrassments from there.

[aelmpvw]

he probably decided to retire once he found out that jack straw gets five grand a night for a speech

[Gromit]

It was probably Rifkind's intention not to stand again. Straw had previously announced his intention not to stand at the election.

I wonder if it is significant that both men trained in law and became barristers before entering Parliament.

[Jackdaw33]

What is particularly disturbing about this case is that we are not talking about two run-of-the-mill backbenchers out to make a fast buck, but two men who have both held one of the four great offices of state.

[Gromit]

Rifkind's grandparents were a Lithuania immigrants. Leon Brittan, another dodgy grandee, was his cousin.

[andy-hughes]

Gromit - "It was probably Rifkind's intention not to stand again."

I take the opposite view - he has been kicked off the gravy train kicking and screaming. He would be guaranteed another term in his safe seat - more chance to read books, and go for walks - oh, and shovel in some dodgy money on the quiet.

[Jackdaw33]

Rifkind has stated that it had been his intention to stand for one more parliament before retiring.

[andy-hughes]

Jackdaw - "Rifkind has stated that it had been his intention to stand for one more parliament before retiring."

I thought as much.

Maybe he can retire and spend more time with other people's money.