Cash for questions: security fears over pass 'sold to lobbyist "Frankly, they can be a way of getting passes for people to get into Parliament," he said, before going on to explain to an undercover journalist that "when you start an APPG you are allowed to employ one functionary who has a ... well, you can have as many as you like but there's one functionary who gets access to an APPG parliamentary pass." At a later meeting, Mr Mercer explained that he had "called in my other pass" from someone else he had offered it to. That's just a question of getting that physically handed back, which means I then have a pass to spare. Which we will take whoever you want, to be whatever appointment you want the person to be. Asked how the person given the pass would be described, the MP replied: "Well I don't think it matters, you can call her the first aid worker if you want, she will be the secretary, and she will be on my pass." But he added: "[I would] quite like to meet her at some stage." APPGs are cross-party "interest groups" that meet in the Palace of Westminster, are chaired by politicians, and adopt the portcullis logo on reports and websites. Yet they are not officially parliamentary bodies and do not receive public money, often being funded by outside interests. In order to establish itself, a group needs 20 qualifying members. Any MP or peer can join, but 10 have to be from the same political party as the government, six from the opposition and four from elsewhere. Today's disclosures are expected to lead to a wide-ranging review of the rules regarding APPGs. Mr Mercer has reported himself to the parliamentary authorities who will investigate whether he has broken the rules. Lawyers also said last night that he may also face a police inquiry. One leading criminal lawyer said: "His conduct appears to merit investigation under a number of criminal codes, including the Bribery Act and misconduct in a public office."