The rise and lack of scrutiny of Parliament cross-party groups are a target for hostile state actors, according to “chilling evidence” in a new government report.
Informal groups called APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) involving members of Parliament (MPs) and Lords in Britain often meet up to discuss all sorts of topics. From concerns around net zero, human trafficking, to promoting museums, music, and fisheries, the list goes on. The main brunt of APPGs is seen as a vital part of how Parliament works, helping to “foster debate on matters of public interest.”
But a detailed report from the Standards Committee following a long-running investigation claims that if left unchecked, APPGs could represent the next “great parliamentary scandal.” The role of the Committee is to regulate MPs’ conduct, propriety, and financial interests.
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