Nov 11 2009 by Rob Merrick CITY MP Peter Kilfoyle is facing a possible investigation after he commissioned research on the alleged failings of the Liverpool 'city-region' - from a firm run by his daughter. Sir John Lyons, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has been urged to launch an inquiry into whether the Walton MP used taxpayer funds without declaring a "possible conflict of interest". But Mr Kilfoyle laughed off the controversy last night, saying: "I'm confident that Sir John Lyons will soon consign it to the dustbin." And he launched an attack on the right-wing Sunlight Centre, which lodged the complaint. It is run by rising blogger 'Guido Fawkes' - who brought Mr Kilfoyle appeared to confirm that he had used parliamentary funds to pay for the study, when he insisted it had been "cleared with the He said: "Everything I did was legitimate, above board and cleared with the authorities in writing. "This seems to be the nature of politics and public comment these days. It's lop-sided, but that's the price you pay." The Daily Post reported last week that the 76-page study, entitled 'Merseyside Matters', had strengthened Mr Kilfoyle's view of the It called for Boris Johnson-style directly-elected mayor, a 12-strong assembly, tax and spend powers and a bigger city-region, perhaps including However, Mr Kilfoyle did not reveal that the Liverpool firm which carried out the work - KIP Research Ltd - is run by his daughter, Lucy. Based in Exchange Street East, its website describes Ms Kilfoyle as "a multi-lingual Oxford graduate, with 18 years' experience in research or It adds that the former parliamentary researcher has "provided strategic, policy, funding and business development information and advice to a The Sunlight Centre has asked Sir John to investigate whether KIP Research Ltd was paid out from parliamentary allowances and, if so, whether the fees office was told it was run by Mr Kilfoyle's daughter. Juliet Samuel, the group's research analyst, said: "It certainly seems strange that, of all the independent research firms available, Mr Kilfoyle "If he indeed used public money, this is a severe breach of ethical guidelines and raises serious questions about his use of parliamentary However, MPs are currently allowed to employ family members. Their 'Green Book' of rules requires them to declare that fact and ensure they achieve "value for money".Liverpool MP Peter Kilfoyle facing possible investigation for commissioning research from a firm run by his daughter
down Damian McBride, Gordon Brown's close aide.
authorities".
city-region as a toothless "cosy cabal".
Warrington, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Chester and even Wrexham and Flintshire.
research-related roles in the fields of politics, education and journalism".
diverse range of private sector clients, as well as to a broad public sector audience."
should choose one run by his daughter.
expenses and the study's impartiality."
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