Rifkind to step down after ‘cash for access’ sting
Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to step down from his role as chairman of the influential Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) and will not stand as an MP in May’s election.
It comes a day after the veteran parliamentarian was suspended from the Conservative Party in the wake of the ‘cash for access’ scandal, after he was filmed offering “useful access” in return for thousands of pounds.
Edinburgh-born Rifkind, who is Jewish, was under fire, together with Jack Straw – another former foreign secretary – following an undercover investigation by journalists from The Telegraph and Channel 4 ‘Dispatches’ programme.
In the footage, he is seen offering a fictitious Hong Kong-based company “useful access” to British ambassadors in return for a minimum of £5,000 per day.
Before he was suspended on Monday, Rifkind was defiant. “These are completely unfounded allegations and I intend to fight them all the way,” he said. “I’ve been in public life a long time: I know what is permitted and what is proper.”
After the announcement that he had been suspended, Rifkind said: “I want to have the standard of living that my previous professional life should entitle me to.”
Rifkind is well respected on all sides of the House, but members of his Intelligence and Security Committee had voiced disquiet at the allegations. Sir Malcolm took the decision to step down after consulting fellow committee members.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
