Hamilton: Uncertain future

MPs to Decide Action over Hamilton

The former MP, who lost his Tatton seat at the General Election to the BBC war reporter Martin Bell, was heavily criticised in Sir Gordon Downey's report into allegations of cash for questions.

Earlier this month, Sir Gordon's three-volume, 900-page report found "compelling" evidence that Mr Hamilton took cash from Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed in return for lobbying services.

Mr Hamilton, one of five former Tory MPs censured by the Commissioner in his report, has consistently denied the allegations and argues that Sir Gordon has drawn the wrong conclusions from the evidence submitted to his inquiry.

The former MP delivered a 30-page document to the Committee denying accusations made in Sir Gordon's report, in particular that he took any money from the Harrods chairman Mohammed Al Fayed.

The Committee chairman, Robert Sheldon, said it would publish a report into the allegations surrounding the Labour MP Robert Wareing.