Three MPs suspended over lobbying claims

Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon, have been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over allegations they tried to sway policy decisions by lobbying the Government.

Downing Street had earlier dismissed Conservative calls for a Government inquiry into the claims that the ex-ministers planned to lobby Whitehall departments for cash.

Gordon Brown's spokesman said the Prime Minister was "satisfied" there had been no impropriety on the part of ministers in the transport and business departments, so there was no need for an internal investigation.

Conservative leader David Cameron says that Stephen Byers' claims that he had influenced official policy went "to the heart of the issue of the integrity of the Government" and should be investigated by the head of the Civil Service, Sir Gus O'Donnell.

His call came after the ex-transport secretary referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon for an inquiry into his conduct which is unlikely to be completed before the general election.

There was cross-party condemnation on Sunday of several former ministers who were caught in an undercover "sting" operation for a television documentary.