Peer Denies Breaking Rules Over Lobbying Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Laird, has strongly denied allegations that he broke rules over lobbying and has referred himself to the parlimentary watchdog. He was one of three peers caught up in an undercover sting by The Sunday Times reporters posing as representatives of a South Korean energy firm. Sky's Alistair Bunkall said: "The allegations against him are that he was offering, on behalf of a lobby company they were posing as members of, to be able to set up an all parliamentary group to represent their interests. And, also the suggestion that because he would be a paid advocate of theirs, he would ask his colleagues in the House of Lords to ask questions on his behalf. Lord Laid has vehemently denied the allegations in a statement, saying: "In recent days I have been the subject of a scam operated by journalists masquerading as communications consultants. This has led to allegations that I have broken the rules of the House of Lords. I wish to make it clear that I did not agree to act as a paid advocate in any proceedings of the House nor did I accept payment or other incentive or reward in return for providing parliamentary advice or services. I have not broken any rules. However, I have referred myself to the appropriate authorities and I will be making no further statement until I have received their ruling. The allegations also involve two Labour peers which Sky News has been unable to contact for a right of reply. All three of the peers decided not to accept the offer that was put to them by the journalists operating undercover, masquerading as lobbyists. They are all thought to have referred themselves to the watchdog. A Labour spokesperson said: "The Labour Party expects all Peers to comply with the Lords Code of Conduct, which is there to bring clarity to their dealings with outside commercial interests and consultancies. We demand high standards of behaviour from our parliamentarians. Where there is genuine evidence of wrongdoing, including non-compliance with the Code of Conduct, the Labour Party will consider appropriate disciplinary action as and when necessary. The claims come hot off the heels of the claims concerning Patrick Mercer, the Conservative MP who resigned the Tory Whip on Friday because of allegations in The Daily Telegraph that he was taking money from lobbyists in order to ask questions on their behalf in Parliament. He is alleged to have tabled Commons questions and offered a Westminster security pass after signing a deal with a lobbying firm that paid him £4,000 seeking the readmission of Fiji to the Commonwealth.