Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind cleared over ‘cash-for-access’ claims

Two former Cabinet ministers were today cleared of breaking lobbying rules by the Commons standards watchdog.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw had been accused of wrongdoing after they were filmed speaking to undercover reporters. Both then referred themselves to the Commons Standards Committee.

Today its report said they had been “scrupulous in observing the requirements relating to registration of interests”. And it said The Telegraph and Channel 4 Despatches, who ran the story, presumed the pair were guilty without properly investigating the matter.

“By selection and omission the coverage distorted the truth and misled the public as to what had actually taken place,” the watchdog added. “[External interests of MPs are] a legitimate subject for scrutiny but it places a responsibility on the media to ensure fair and accurate reporting.”

Sir Malcolm and Mr Straw were secretly filmed by reporters claiming to represent a communications firm seeking to hire politicians. Sir Malcolm was said to have claimed he could arrange “useful access” to British ambassadors, while Mr Straw said he could operate “under the radar” to use his influence.

Sir Malcolm, who stepped down as an MP following the media probe, branded the story “shoddy, third-rate journalism”. Former foreign secretary Mr Straw, who had been expected to receive a peerage, said: “It has been very sad that the final chapter of my long period in the Commons has been overshadowed.”

Channel 4 said: “Dispatches stands by its journalism; this was a fair and accurate account of what the two MPs said. This investigation was in the public interest and revealed matters which were of serious public concern.”

A spokesperson for the Telegraph Media Group said: “The Daily Telegraph conducted an investigation that was in the public interest and accurately revealed matters which were of concern to millions of voters. We raised a number of serious questions about the conduct of Members of Parliament. We suspect voters will find it remarkable that, despite the scandal of MPs’ expenses, Parliament still sees fit for MPs to be both judge and jury on their own conduct.”