Committee findings will be published after the recess

Committee Powerless to Act Against "Sleaze" MPs

But the Committee, chaired by Sir Robert Sheldon, said that it was powerless to take action against the four MPs because they are no longer in the house.

Sir Robert Sheldon

Sir Robert tells the World At One little action can be taken against the MPs in question

In its report, the Committee said that had they still been MPs, it would have recommended a period of suspension for Mr Brown, Sir Michael and Mr Smith and would have considered recommending a period of suspension for Sir Andrew.

Clear frustration was expressed with the limitations on its powers. "We recognise, in practice, the powers of the House to punish non-Members are limited," the report said. "In a future report we shall offer advice to the House on appropriate penalties and sanctions for Members, former Members and other persons involved in unacceptable behaviour."

Sir Gordon Downey: highly critical

The Commons rose for its 13-week summer break on Thursday, but the Committee is anxious to clear as much of its work as quickly as possible and will meet again on Tuesday to consider the case of the former minister Ian Hamilton.

Although, in the case of Mr Smith, his public apology was taken into account, his argument that he should have been judged against standards prevailing in the mid-1980s was rejected. The Committee said his concealment of payments received from the Harrods boss to press for action by ministers would have been a clear contempt of the House at any time since 1941.

It concluded: "Mr Smith's conduct fell seriously below the standards which the House is entitled to expect of its Members. We acknowledge his later candour. However, had he still been a Member we would recommend a substantial period of suspension from the service of the House."