Britain pledges crackdown on lobbying by ex-ministers
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour party promised a crackdown on lobbying by ex-ministers Sunday after some of its lawmakers were caught in a newspaper sting, just weeks before an election.
Senior Labour members of parliament (MPs) were filmed by an undercover reporter apparently offering to use their connections with government in return for money -- although they all subsequently denied wrongdoing.
The party responded by promising tighter regulation on lobbying activities if Brown's government is re-elected in polls expected on May 6.
"There can never be any suggestion that companies and businesses can only speak to government by buying access through MPs or anybody else," a spokesman said.
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