MP Mark Pritchard goes to watchdog over Albania claims
A Conservative MP has referred himself to Parliament's standards watchdog, while rejecting claims that he offered to set up business deals in return for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Mark Pritchard is a member of Parliament's all-party group for Albania
The Daily Telegraph reported that Mark Pritchard said he would be able to broker investments overseas using his political contacts in Albania.
It said he asked for £3,000 a month for consultancy and 3% of any deal.
Mr Pritchard said the allegations were false and he wanted to clear his name.
Denied claims
Mr Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin in Shropshire, sits on the all-party group for Albania but there is no suggestion he was willing to support deals in Parliament.
In fact he told an undercover reporter that he did not lobby. No money changed hands.
Had Mr Pritchard agreed and properly declared a contract of this sort it is not clear whether he would have broken any rules, BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says.
Mr Pritchard said the Telegraph's allegations were false and denied the newspaper's claims, and he was consulting his lawyers.
He also said: "I have asked the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to investigate the matter so I can clear my name."
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