THE Tory Party’s deputy chair, Lee Anderson, is being investigated by Westminster's Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
The Ashfield MP is being probed after he used a roof terrace on the parliamentary estate to film his GB News show.
Unauthorised filming and photography is not allowed on the estate.
Anderson, who is paid £100,000 a year for his GB News show “Lee Anderson's Real World”, had used the rooftop to ask people to get in touch with problems for a chance to appear on his show.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards opened an investigation on July 6, though complaints had been put in about the filming in late June.
At the time, a House of Commons spokesperson said: “Unauthorised photography or filming is not permitted on the parliamentary estate.
“Where it is seen or reported to be happening, the individual in question will be asked to stop and reminded of the rules. Where breaches are observed or reported, the serjeant at arms will discuss with (or write to) the member involved to confirm the rules.”
Anderson’s GB News programme is broadcast every Friday at 7pm.
He is one of a series of Tory MPs who work as presenters on the channel. Jacob Rees-Mogg also has his own show, while married Conservative MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies present a Saturday morning programme.
TalkTV has also hired Nadine Dorries (below), the former culture secretary, to present a Friday evening show.
Ofcom is looking into the rules which allow serving politicians to act as news presenters. The broadcasting watchdog said in June: “The rules around politicians presenting programmes were first introduced in 2005.
“Given the rise in the number of current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians and recent public interest in this issue, we are conducting new research to gauge current audience attitudes towards these programmes.”
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is also currently probing five other MPs, all of whom are Conservatives.
Marcus Fysh, Scott Benton, Roger Gale, Bob Stewart, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are all the subject of investigations.
Anderson has been approached for comment.
