Tice claims parliamentary standards probe is from ‘antisemitic anti-Israel’ complaint

Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, is under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a possible failure to declare an interest, according to a notice posted on the commissioner’s website on Monday.

Tice responded to the inquiry on social media, stating that the investigation stems from a complaint by what he described as an “anti-Israel lobby group.”

He said the complaint concerns whether he should have referenced his register of interests at the start of a debate on “UK democracy and Israeli influence.”

Posting on X, Tice wrote: “Contrary to garbage in media: I am being investigated for standing against antisemitism. You could not make it up.

“The Standards Commissioner is considering a complaint by an antisemitic anti-Israel lobby group over whether I should have referenced my register of interests at the start of a debate on UK democracy and Israeli influence.

“The same anti-Israel group failed to notify the Commissioner that Ayoub Khan MP did not declare his substantial donation received from a pro-Palestine group.
“Funny that…..”

Jewish News understands the investigation centres on an alleged failure by Tice to declare an interest linked to Israel during a recent Westminster Hall debate.

The case relates to rule six of the MPs’ code of conduct, which requires members to be “open and frank” in declaring “any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees,” as well as in any communications with public office-holders and officials.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, did not provide further details about the allegation. The investigation was opened on July 28.