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What’s the expiry-date of a Westminster scandal?

The House of Lords privileges and conduct committee recommended today that the former Lib Dem peer, Lord Lester, be suspended from the chamber until 2022, after he was accused of offering ‘sexual inducements’ and sexually harassing a complainant – which he strenuously denies.

If the House of Lords agrees with the recommendation (which it will decide in a vote on Thursday) it will be the longest suspension of a politician in parliament’s modern history.

Mr Steerpike suspects though that Lord Lester won’t be the only parliamentarian sweating ahead of the vote on Thursday. Readers may remember that back in May this year, the current speaker, John Bercow, faced his own investigation by the Commons’ standards committee after allegations of bullying were made against him.

Fortunately for Bercow, the Commons committee decided that an investigation into his past behaviour should not take place, as while the complaints fell within its remit, the seven years since the allegations took place was factored into their decision. By

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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