AN Oxfordshire MP has admitted using their Commons office for a non-parliamentary paid meeting.

Liberal Democrat Layla Moran MP for Oxford West and Abingdon appeared remotely via video link on a panel discussing political prisoners in Saudi Arabia, the BBC reports.

She used her office in Portcullis House for the event last November which was organised by law firm Bindmans LLP.

The Times reports that Ms Moran was paid £3,000 by the firm for 40 hours of work on top of her salary as an MP of £80,000.

Bindmans described the meeting as an "evidence session", which heard from human rights organisations and family members of detained Saudi Arabian activists.

But under House of Commons rules, MPs must not use the parliamentary facilities for non-parliamentary work.

Ms Moran has apologised and said she "deeply regretted" it.

In a statement, the MP said: "With MPs from other parties, I worked on the detention of political prisoners in Saudi Arabia with Bindmans.

"I deeply regret that I 'zoomed' in for one meeting from my office in Parliament when Covid restrictions were in place.

"I take full responsibility for this and it will not happen again."

The BBC reports that Conservative MP Crispin Blunt also admitted using his Commons office for non-parliamentary paid meetings.

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