A former Conservative MP, Aidan Burley, who was involved in a scandal linked to a Nazi-themed stag party, continues to hold a pass granting him access to parliament. Alongside Burley, two other former MPs, David Tredinnick and Graham Riddick, who faced suspension in a separate cash-for-questions scandal, also retain their access privileges. These revelations raise questions about the oversight of former members’ access to the parliamentary estate.
Burley, who was dismissed as a ministerial aide in 2011 after the details of the stag do, where guests raised a toast in a manner reminiscent of Hitler’s regime, has utilized his parliamentary pass six times in 2024 and the same number in 2025 until November. He left parliament in 2015 and joined Reform UK in December 2022. Following the incident, Burley expressed remorse for his actions, and a Conservative Party report concluded that he was not a racist or anti-Semite.
Tredinnick and Riddick, who were suspended for accepting payments for parliamentary questions from undercover reporters in 1995, have made only one visit each during the reporting period. Both MPs publicly apologized for their conduct at the time. Tredinnick, who represented Bosworth, received a suspension for 20 sitting days, while Riddick, the former MP for Colne Valley, was suspended for 10 days.
The access to parliament for these former MPs has prompted criticism from organizations advocating for greater scrutiny of parliamentary access. Lisa Gillmore, a senior researcher for the GMB union, stated, “As the largest union for MPs’ staff, we want to see a greater level of scrutiny applied when granting access to the estate and its workers.”
Other former MPs with access include Stephen Crabb, who resigned in 2016 after sending inappropriate messages to a job applicant. Although found to have behaved inappropriately, the Conservative Party ruled that he did not breach its rules. Crabb visited parliament eight times in 2024 and 23 times in 2025 up to November.
Another controversial figure is Tim Yeo, who resigned as a minister in 1994 after fathering a child out of wedlock and faced further scrutiny in 2013 when undercover reporters alleged he offered to promote business interests for payment. Yeo continues to hold access to parliament, visiting once during both reporting periods.
The term “Category X” pass refers to access issued to former MPs who have served in two parliaments or for a minimum of six years. This pass allows limited, unescorted access to specific areas, including meeting spaces and select catering facilities.
Among the most active former members is Lee Rowley, who used his pass 127 times in the past two years. No allegations of wrongdoing have been linked to Rowley.
Recent reports have also highlighted that two former Labour MPs, Simon Danczuk and Ivan Lewis, both suspended over sexual misconduct allegations, possess similar access passes. Danczuk, who was suspended in 2015 for sending explicit texts to a minor, visited parliament 11 times last year and eight times in 2025. Lewis, suspended in 2017, used his pass three times during the reporting period.
In response to these ongoing issues, a spokesperson for the House of Commons stated, “Eligibility for passes is rigorously scrutinized, and processes are in place to ensure applications can only be made by those with an approved requirement.” They added that any breaches of conduct are investigated, and passes can be revoked if an individual is convicted of a crime resulting in a custodial sentence.
As the debate around access to parliament continues, the actions and privileges of former MPs remain under scrutiny, reflecting broader concerns about accountability and oversight within the institution.
