Labour has asked Parliament’s standards watchdog to investigate claims that Lee Anderson was offered a six-figure sum to join the Reform Party before making the switch.
An Offer He Couldn’t Refuse?
Ellie Reeves, Labour’s chair, has written to the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, calling for an investigation into Anderson’s decision to leave the Tories and join Reform. Reeves flagged a leaked recording from November 2023, in which Anderson, still a Conservative MP at the time, apparently claimed that a party starting with “R” offered him “a lot of money” to jump ship.
The Leaked Recording
In the recording, Anderson told activists, “Now there’s a political party that begins with an R that offered me a lot of money to join them. I say a lot of money, I mean a LOT of money.” Naturally, Reform’s then leader, Richard Tice (now an MP), hit back, calling the whole thing “total lies.” But Anderson didn’t back down, offering more details on what was allegedly on the table.
Anderson’s Version of Events
Anderson clarified, saying he was offered a deal to join the party and stand for election. If he lost his seat, he was promised a five-year contract with the party on the same salary as an MP. But he strongly denied using this as leverage to secure the deputy chairman role, labelling such claims as an “insult.”
Tory Party’s Response: Radio Silence
As a Conservative MP, Anderson reportedly informed the Tory whips about the alleged offer, and they passed it on to the Speaker of the House. The Speaker suggested the matter could be reported to the police, but Tory insiders say nothing ever came of it. Awkward.
Anderson Joins Reform Party
In March 2024, Anderson made the jump to Reform, but when asked if any cash was involved, he told GB News, “No, absolutely not… I’m not a mercenary. I’ve had no money.” So, no money, just a hearty new political adventure.
Labour Demands Answers
Reeves, however, isn’t letting this slide and has asked the parliamentary standards commissioner to investigate whether Anderson’s actions breached the MPs’ code of conduct. She stressed that financial enticements have no place in UK politics, as they erode public trust, democratic norms, and national security. So, no pressure, Daniel Greenberg, but it’s all on you now.
Anderson’s Controversial Past
Before joining Reform, Anderson resigned as deputy chair of the Conservative Party over his discontent with Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill. He also had the Tory whip suspended after making inflammatory comments about Sadiq Khan on GB News, which Khan labelled “Islamophobic, anti-Muslim, and racist.” Charming.
After jumping to Reform, Anderson won back his seat in Ashfield in July 2024, now representing the party, and is currently the chief whip for Reform in the Commons. Just what every political party needs: a whip who’s not afraid of a little controversy.
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