The House of Lords Conduct Committee has recommended suspending two members following separate standards investigations triggered by undercover reporting. On 24 November 2025 the Committee published reports proposing a four‑month suspension for Lord Richard Dannatt and a five‑month suspension for Lord David Evans of Watford. Neither peer appealed. The suspensions will take effect once the House agrees the reports.
The Committee upheld findings by the independent Commissioner for Standards that both cases engaged the prohibition on providing parliamentary advice or services in return for payment or reward. In the Code of Conduct this is set out in paragraph 11(b); the separate obligation to “act always on their personal honour” is at paragraph 10(b). The Committee notes that although numbering has changed across editions, the substance of these provisions is unchanged.
In Lord Dannatt’s case, the Commissioner concluded that his recorded conversations with undercover journalists did not amount to a breach of paragraph 11(b) because no paid parliamentary services were actually provided. However, by expressing a willingness to undertake such activity he breached paragraph 10(b) (personal honour). The investigation began after the Guardian published undercover footage on 6 March 2025; Lord Dannatt then self‑referred.
The Commissioner also found three substantive breaches of paragraph 11(b) against Lord Dannatt for contacting ministers or officials about companies in which he had a financial interest: UK Nitrogen (a fertiliser factory matter in 2022), Teledyne UK (correspondence with Home Office ministers in 2023–24) and Blue International Holdings (an energy and mining venture involving the UK High Commission in 2024). The Committee accepted these findings and recommended a four‑month suspension.
When weighing sanction, the Committee recorded Lord Dannatt’s expressions of remorse but said a lack of understanding of the Code is not mitigating. It highlighted the number and duration of improper interactions over two years as an aggravating factor. The Committee therefore endorsed the Commissioner’s recommendation of a four‑month suspension.
In Lord Evans’s case, the Commissioner found breaches of paragraph 11(b) for providing paid parliamentary services by sponsoring and promoting commercial events in Parliament for Affinity, a company owned by his son in which Lord Evans held one‑third of the shares. He also approached members to speak at these events on three occasions, and told undercover journalists he could introduce them to parliamentarians, which the Commissioner held breached paragraph 10(b) (personal honour).
Separately, Lord Evans breached paragraph 14(c) of the Code by failing to ensure that events he sponsored complied with House rules on use of facilities. Tickets were advertised at prices above the actual cost per head, and the events were intended to generate direct or indirect financial gain for Affinity-both contrary to the events rules cited by the Committee. The recommended sanction is a five‑month suspension.
Both inquiries began as self‑referrals following the Guardian’s publication of undercover material on 4–6 March 2025. The Committee’s 24 November 2025 reports state that neither peer appealed the Commissioner’s findings or the recommended sanctions. Final suspensions will commence once the House approves the reports.
For practitioners, the Evans report reiterates that sponsored functions at the Lords cannot be used for any direct or indirect financial gain, and that Members are personally responsible for compliance with the Events Team’s standard conditions, including pricing at cost. Separately, the Guide to the Code confirms that “paid parliamentary services” covers doing or not doing something in the course of parliamentary activities; “paid parliamentary advice” covers instructing outsiders on how to influence Parliament.
If the House agrees the motions, suspension bars Members from the Parliamentary Estate and facilities, de‑activates passes (including any sponsored passes), and prevents access to parliamentary systems and allowance claims for the duration. These are routine consequences of suspension from the service of the House.