Pensions Minister Paul Maynard Faces Allegations of Breaking Parliamentary Rules

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has announced that it will assess claims against Pensions Minister Paul Maynard regarding the use of taxpayer money for Conservative Party work and campaigning. The allegations were first reported by the Sunday Times, which claimed that Mr. Maynard had used his constituency office, funded by IPSA, as the premises of his local Conservative Association.

Mr. Maynard, who was appointed as parliamentary under-secretary of state for pensions by Rishi Sunak in November, stated that he believed he had the proper agreements in place. However, he also pledged to abide by any IPSA findings. The rules state that MPs are given public funding to run a constituency office, but they are not allowed to use the same facilities or staff for party political work or campaigns. Instead, such activities must be funded from separate political donations.

The IPSA had already become aware of the use of the one location for both parliamentary and some party work in 2022. Mr. Maynard subsequently drew up a formal agreement governing the use of the premises. However, the Sunday Times report contained allegations that Mr. Maynard might have used the location for party work before 2022, leading the IPSA to refer the matter.

The BBC contacted Mr. Maynard for comment but has not received any reply. Downing Street referred enquiries to the Conservative whips’ office, which gave no statement but instead pointed to Mr. Maynard’s words given to the newspaper.

Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds called the allegations “extremely serious” and urged a thorough investigation. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP also called for Mr. Maynard’s suspension as a minister and the suspension of the party whip while the allegations are investigated.

The Conservative Party, IPSA, and UK Parliament were also mentioned in the text.