The Fake Lord Chancellor and an undeclared donation

The Mole from The First Post is proving an entertaining read, this on Jack Straw being typical: ...the Standards and Privileges Committee have found an equally shocking lapse by Jack Straw, the Secretary of State for Justice, in failing to properly disclose a donation of £3,000 to his constituency by the energy giant, Canataxx, to celebrate Straw's 25th anniversary as the MP for Blackburn.

It would not matter so much if Canataxx were just a local firm. But they are responsible for a number of controversial planning applications for gas storage, including some in the northwest, the region where Straw has his constituency. And the committee point out that Straw was the Home Secretary who was responsible for introducing the electoral law requiring MPs to declare such donations.

"We are surprised and disappointed that, of all Members, Mr Straw should have broken the rules. Mr Straw is an experienced Member - indeed, the incident that led to the complaint was a celebration of his 25 years in the House.

"As Home Secretary, Mr Straw put the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2001 on the Statute Book." The same source has new information on this same energy firm Canataxx and another dodgy character from Blackburn, Lord Taylor, linked here. How can individuals with any shred of decency continue to work in the Home Office or Department of Justice with such characters in charge?