MPs approve Greenberg’s appointment as new parliament standards commissioner

MPs from all political parties have welcomed the appointment of Jewish lawyer Daniel Greenberg as the new parliamentary commissioner for standards.

Greenberg, whose nomination was confirmed last month, replaces outgoing Kathryn Stone in the role, beginning in January.

In the Commons, chair of the standards committee Chris Bryant enthused about the appointment of the religiously Orthodox lawyer.

The Labour MP said on Tuesday:”Daniel Greenberg is quite phenomenal.

“He has advised the standards committee several times, and done so with considerable wit, rapier intelligence and sometimes rather frighteningly.”

Bryant – who paid tribute to outgoing Stone – also said of her replacement:” He was absolutely magnificent at interview; I was giving him 10 out of 10 on every single one of the key criteria on experiences and abilities needed to fulfil the role.

” I am certain that he will do a splendid job for the House.”

Charles Walker, the Conservative MP, who moved the motion to confirm the appointment, had earlier said of Greeenberg: “He is a man of formidable intelligence and we are very, very lucky to have him.”

Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt added “the information contained in the commission report have certainly reassured me that Daniel Greenberg possesses the necessary skills and experience to carry out the role extremely effectively and build confidence in the system.”

The SNP’s Allan Dorans said from what was known about the lawyer’s past record he would now make an “excellent” independent commissioner.

With his appointment backed by MPs, deputy speaker Rosie Winterton added:”WhenI was a Minister, there was always a huge sigh of relief when Daniel came in to give us advice. I am sure he will do a magnificent job.”

Last year in the role Stone found that the MP Owen Paterson had breached the MP’s code of conduct, a finding which resulted in the parliamentary standards c committee recommending a suspension from the Commons for a period of 30 sitting days.

Despite the fact that the prime minister Boris Johnson encouraged a three-line whip on an amendment to change the standards system, the public backlash caused a reversal of policy and the next day Paterson resigned.

As well as legal works, Greenberg has published books of Jewish interest including one on conversion and a collection of his blogs entitledWhat If God’s a Christian?.

His recent monograph,Getting A Get, called on rabbinical courts to change the way they handle Jewish divorce cases.

Greenberg hasserved as counsel for domestic legislation, was a parliamentary counsel for 20 years and counsel in the Office of Speaker’s Counsel in the Commons for six years.

Two years ago he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.