MP goes to watchdog over son's parliamentary pass

John Milne was elected to represent Horsham in July 2024.

The MP for Horsham has referred himself to the Commons standards committee over his son holding a staff parliamentary pass.

Liberal Democrat John Milne said his son Oscar was acting as an unpaid volunteer to help him set up his office after he was elected last July.

It is against parliamentary rules for MPs elected since 2017 to employ close family members.

Mr Milne said he self-referred to get clarity on the situation and ensure any potential breach of guidelines was properly investigated.

Mr Milne told the BBC: "Oscar was acting as an unpaid volunteer, assisting me with the set-up of my office post election. At no point was he employed as a paid staff member."

A question has been raised as to whether Oscar Milne was issued the correct parliamentary pass, as a member of family or member of staff.

He was included in a parliamentary register of interests of members' staff, as of 10 January 2025.

A spokesperson for John Milne said they were seeking clarity from the Standards Commissioner as to why volunteers were listed as "staff" on some documentation.

He said they had already clarified that the rules allow for volunteers to be eligible for passes.

Milne was elected as MP for Horsham in July 2024 with a majority of 2,517 votes.

His election overturned 144 years of Conservative representation in the town and surrounding villages.

He was a Horsham District councillor from 2019 until October 2024 and has been a West Sussex County Councillor since 2021 but has stated his intention to stand down at the next election.

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