Speaker Lindsay Hoyle faces fresh controversy after handing ex-lobbyist Commons pass with access to top politicians (0.014319809069212411)
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52662613%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DHcq-PuQGTBv" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing fresh scrutiny after appointing a former Gibraltar lobbyist as an adviser with parliamentary access privileges.</p><p>Hoyle gave Albert Poggio, 79, a parliamentary pass allowing him access to Commons libraries, bars, restaurants and senior Westminster figures.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>The appointment, made in 2021, was never publicly announced.</p><p>Poggio previously arranged several all-expenses-paid trips to Gibraltar for Hoyle and other MPs during his 28-year tenure as Gibraltar's representative in London.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Lindsay Hoyle" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="37a0d9455515c44df62442cbfe360ab1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ce72e" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/lindsay-hoyle.jpg?id=51566488&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>Critics have questioned whether the appointment was necessary and if it constituted "payback" for the lavish junkets.</p><p>A spokesman for the Speaker said: "We absolutely refute any suggestion or implication of impropriety."</p><p>Poggio, a Gibraltarian businessman and political consultant, retired in 2016 after nearly three decades representing Gibraltar in London.</p><p>During his tenure, he orchestrated a £1million lobbying campaign targeting MPs and peers, including inviting them to "the Rock" to advocate for its continued British status.</p><p>Hoyle enjoyed 11 trips to Gibraltar as an MP, dating back to 1998, before becoming Speaker in 2019.</p><p>One four-day trip in February 2002 attended by Hoyle and nine other MPs included "dolphin safaris" and tax-free shopping.</p><p>Staff at Gibraltar establishments described Hoyle and Poggio as close friends.<br/></p><p><strong>POLITICS LATEST:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/politics/video-rachel-reeves-scary-impact-britain-economy" target="_self">Rachel Reeves will have a 'scary' impact on Britain's economy, Cundy warns</a><span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li><span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/opinion/rachel-reeves-borrowed-time-recession-anti-growth-budget-nana-akua" target="_self">'Rachel Reeves is on borrowed time - we are heading for recession thanks to her anti-growth budget'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/politics/labour-scolded-shock-stats-winter-fuel-cuts-pensioners-hospital" target="_self">Labour scolded as shock new A&E stats show true impact of winter fuel cuts</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br><img alt="Sir Lindsay Hoyle" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="38f346db8ceb314c2b8af653ec569f62" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="597d0" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/sir-lindsay-hoyle.jpg?id=52680403&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>Poggio's social media profile featured photos with Hoyle, including images of them campaigning together in Chorley and pictures apparently taken in the Speaker's House.</p><p>The profile was appears to have been deleted after inquiries from the Mail. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Poggio. </p><p>Former Tory Cabinet minister David Jones questioned the appointment's necessity.</p><p>"It is hard to see why the Speaker should need an adviser on the Overseas Territories," he said.</p><p>Jones noted that support is already available from the Overseas Territories Association, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and Commons Library.</p><p>"The Speaker should therefore explain precisely what Poggio's duties are, the terms of his contract and the benefits he enjoys under that contract," he added.</p><p>John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "The Speaker's activities only grow more dubious with each new revelation."</p><p>"The Speaker must surely realise that the only way to put these issues to bed is to be open and transparent."</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dc1a6263b2655d8fb95f8b2be45568b3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="e3eda" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/speaker-of-the-house-of-commons-sir-lindsay-hoyle.jpg?id=56708556&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><p>The revelations come amid questions about Hoyle's foreign travel expenses, which have cost taxpayers more than £250,000 since October 2022.</p><p>This includes £180,000 on business and first-class flights, as he reportedly refuses to fly economy.</p><p>Hoyle has claimed nearly £16,000 in expenses for four trips to Gibraltar since becoming Speaker, where he serves as chancellor of the University of Gibraltar.</p><p>His office stated all expenses are incurred as part of his "responsibility to explain and promote the work of the House."</p><p>Critics argue his chancellor role is unrelated to his Commons position and should not be taxpayer-funded.</p><p>A spokesman for the Speaker said: "In 2021, Mr Poggio became an unpaid adviser to the Speaker on Gibraltar and the British Overseas Territories, due to his long-standing expertise in this area."</p><p>"He has never been remunerated for this role or claimed any expenses from the Speaker's office. In order to carry out these duties, the Speaker sponsored a parliamentary pass for Mr Poggio."</p></br>
