Cash-for-Questions Scandal Rocks British Government

A shocking scandal has hit the British government, with Junior Minister Tim Smith resigning amid allegations that he and fellow Conservative MP Neil Hamilton accepted large payments to raise parliamentary questions on behalf of businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed. The accusations, first reported by The Guardian, have sparked a growing perception that the Conservative Party is "sleazy" in the eyes of British voters. The controversy is the latest in a series of scandals to hit the party in recent years.

Key Takeaways:

• Junior Minister Tim Smith resigned from his government post after allegations surfaced that he accepted large payments to raise parliamentary questions on behalf of businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed.
• Fellow Conservative MP Neil Hamilton was accused of accepting similar payments, but remains in his job despite the allegations.
• An investigation by the Cabinet secretary was launched three weeks ago, with the results to be announced publicly.
• A poll last week found that a majority of voters in Britain consider the Conservatives to be "sleazy."
• The scandal is the latest in a series of controversies to hit the party in recent years, including an earlier "cash-for-questions" scandal.
• Mohamed Al-Fayed claims he made payments of 2,000 pounds ($3,220) per question raised to Hamilton and Smith through lobbying firm Ian Greer Associates.
• The Guardian traced 22 parliamentary questions raised by Hamilton or Smith in Al-Fayed's interest between 1987 and 1989.

Statistics:

• 2,000 pounds ($3,220) per question raised in Parliament, allegedly paid by Mohamed Al-Fayed to Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith.
• 50,000 pounds ($80, 500) fee paid by Al-Fayed to Ian Greer Associates for parliamentary lobbying.
• 22 parliamentary questions raised by Hamilton or Smith in Al-Fayed's interest between 1987 and 1989, as traced by The Guardian.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• Spokeswoman for John Major's office
• Ian Greer Associates
• Mohamed Al-Fayed
• The Sunday Times