Sir Gordon Downey: "Obviously, it has been frustrating"

Downey disappointed that report remains under wraps

In an interview with the legal journal Counsel, Sir Gordon said that the report, which investigates allegations against the former Tory MP Neil Hamilton and others, was ready for publication days before John Major called the election. It cannot now be published until a new Committee for Standards and Privileges is established which can consider Sir Gordon's conclusions.

"Obviously, it has been frustrating," Sir Gordon said. "It would have been more satisfactory had it been possible to see the report published beforehand."

Sir Gordon also said that Britain might now be ready for a parliament composed of professional politicians with no outside interests at all. He said: "I now think there is quite a strong case for further consideration as to whether or not we would be better off with professional politicians without outside interests."

Sir Gordon's remarks are likely to increase pressure on MPs to shed paid consultancies. The Nolan Committee, set up by John Major in response to the "cash for questions" scandal, led to a ban - approved in the Commons - on MPs acting as advocates for firms or interest groups.

One Tory MP, Michael Fabricant, accused Sir Gordon of "beginning to display a staggering naiveté". He argued: "MPs should be in touch with business and society and Sir Gordon's latest proposals make it hard for this to continue."