MP George Freeman Self-Refers Over Cash-for-Questions Ethics Probe

George Freeman, a Conservative MP and former science minister, has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards following allegations that he allowed the environmental monitoring company GHGSat, which paid him £60,000 a year as an adviser, to help write his parliamentary questions. Leaked emails reveal that Freeman asked the company’s director what to ask about and requested help in getting the wording right, with some questions submitted to Labour ministers including phrases copied word for word from the company. These actions potentially breached multiple MPs' code of conduct rules, including lobbying on behalf of a private company and using parliamentary resources for private business. The advisory committee on business appointments had previously warned Freeman against lobbying government on behalf of GHGSat due to his ministerial connections. Freeman denies wrongdoing but acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations and has taken the step to self-report while his party has refrained from commenting amid ongoing inquiries. The controversy adds to concerns about MPs' ethical standards and the influence of private firms on parliamentary processes.