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A Labour Member of Parliament has expressed regret and has approached the standards commissioner after endorsing a company in Parliament without revealing a significant donation it had made to him.
Steve Yemm, who represents Mansfield, recently participated in a debate concerning construction standards. During this discussion, he lauded the contributions of the electrical utility company Power Saving Solutions, describing it as a key player in reducing dependence on diesel power at construction sites.
In his remarks, Yemm highlighted Power Saving Solutions alongside JCB, stating they exemplify private-sector engagement in the pursuit of making the UK a leader in clean energy.
However, Yemm failed to mention that he had received a £10,000 donation from Power Saving Solutions in April of the previous year. According to the Parliamentary code of conduct, MPs are required to disclose any pertinent interests when speaking in the House of Commons.
In a statement addressing the situation, Yemm said, “I sincerely apologize for not declaring this interest when referencing the company’s work in my constituency. I have already contacted the parliamentary standards commissioner and will be making the necessary corrections to the record promptly.” He emphasized that he does not have a personal relationship with the firm.
Rose Whiffen, a senior research officer at Transparency International UK, commented on the issue, stating: “It is crucial for parliamentarians to avoid any appearance of impropriety when they receive financial backing from private firms. It is their responsibility to ensure that all their activities in Parliament align with the public interest and to declare any relevant private interests to maintain transparency in their decision-making.”
Yemm was elected to Parliament in July 2024, reclaiming the Mansfield seat from Conservative MP Ben Bradley, winning with a margin of nearly 3,500 votes. Bradley’s victory in 2017 had previously signaled the Conservatives’ ascendancy in many former Labour strongholds.
Selected as Labour’s candidate for Mansfield in spring 2023, Yemm brought a background in management from the life sciences software industry. He previously served as chair of the Mansfield constituency Labour party from 2008 to 2017 and sought the mayoralty in 2011.
In the lead-up to last summer’s general election, Yemm received financial contributions from unions such as Unison, as well as from the thinktank Labour Together. He has also gained support from the Unite and GMB unions.
During the construction standards debate on March 25, Yemm acknowledged the role of Mansfield district council in developing new housing within his constituency, which is supported by a £7.7 million development initiative. He asserted the need for “councils and housebuilders to seek solutions from British industry in construction.”
Since taking office, Yemm has also tackled topics such as antisocial behavior, apprenticeships, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza in his contributions to the Commons.
Source
www.theguardian.com