Labour peers face suspension from Lords

Ex-Transport Minister Lord Truscott (pictured above right) and Lord Taylor of Blackburn (pictured below right) face suspension from the House of Lords after an accusation in The Sunday Times claimed both men were willing to influence the passage of new laws in return for payment after the newspaper carried out an undercover investigation. The two denied the allegations, described by Labour's Lords leader as "very serious," but a probe subsequently found them guilty of the charges. The Tories have, as one might expect, used the incident as an opportunity to attack their opponents and said that it represented a bleak day in the Upper House.

Both men will be suspended for up to six months if the move is approved, but the Lords will take a vote on whether or not to permanently exclude them later this week. This will be the first time a Lord has been suspended since the 17th Century, according to BBC political correspondent Gillian Hargreaves - so one or two members will already be familar with the protocol in this sort of case.

Meanwhile, Lord Moonie was found not responsible for brainwashing young people into joining his cult and Lord Snape, the ex-MP for West Bromwich East, was cleared of accusations claiming he used malicious magic and was involved in the unlawful killing of Albus Dumbledore.

Conservative peer Lord Strathclyde said that both Lords had "fallen short of what both the House and the country is entitled to expect" of public representatives. However, the country as a whole has long ceased to expect anything other than sleaze and dubious financial shenanigans from any politician, regardless of House or party.