New parliamentary standards chief accepts image of MPs is ‘as low as it has ever been’

New Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg has said the reputation of MPs is “possibly as low as it has ever been”.

But in his first interview in the role he insisted the “vast majority of members of the House of Commons are strongly committed to to doing their job in accordance with high ethical standards.”

The barrister, and observant member of the community, told BBC2’s Newsnight said it was a “big priority” of his to support MPs and peers with high ethical standards, while “being very clear in sanctioning those members who fall away from those standards” and who “tarnish the reputations of the vast majority.”

Greenberg said that the general public were “concerned” about the money MPs were earning from outside interests.

He said:”I think that is something members need to think about in the next couple of years…. outside interests bringing damage to the House… not appearing to neglect your constituents.”

Greenberg added there was a balance that needed to be worked out on the issue “in a rule that works for every body.”

Asked by Kirsty Wark how he would avoid being targeted with the sort of personal attacks face by his predecessor Kathryn Stone from some MPs, he said:”I’ve been around for 45 years, and most of the time I’ve been a lawyer and part of being a good lawyer is being prepared to say things that people don’t necessarily want to hear.”

He said he expected members to “disagree with people professionally and with courtesy.”

Greenberg denied being around parliament for many years left him open to the charge of being a friend to MPs saying he had a “reputation for independence.”

He began a five-year term of office this month and previously served as counsel for domestic legislation. Two years ago he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

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.