Article: MP's money for nothing revealed as outside pay is published

IT IS perhaps the clearest example of money for nothing. Jim Hood, the Scots Labour MP, has admitted pocketing GBP 625 a month - in addition to his MP's salary of GBP 64,766 - as a consultant for Scottish Coal.

This adds up to a GBP 7,500 a year boost to the income of the veteran politician, an MP since 1987 and leader of the Nottinghamshire miners during the strikes of the 1980s.

His task is "to advise on parliamentary matters as they pertain to the coal industry" on behalf of Scottish Coal.

But when he was asked, under new Commons rules on disclosure, how many hours he spent on the consultancy in return for the latest monthly payment, Mr Hood replied: "Nil."

Mr Hood was one of 22 MPs ...

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