OTLEY’S MP has been criticised for voting against plans to stop MPs taking second jobs.

Labour’s bid to ban MPs from holding paid directorships, consultancies or trade union roles was defeated by 68 votes in the House of Commons last week.

The move was the party’s response to the ‘cash for access’ investigations involving former foreign secretaries Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw.

Labour’s local Parliamentary candidate Alex Sobel said he was disappointed to see MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) joining the Conservative and Liberal Democrat opposition to the proposal.

He said: “When the average annual wage in our constituency is estimated at £20,517 most people in North West Leeds will find it astonishing that Malcolm Rifkind felt he couldn’t earn enough on an MP’s salary.

“MPs receive a salary of £66,000 and there’s absolutely no justification for them taking second jobs.”

Mr Mulholland responded by accusing Labour of hypocrisy.

He said: “I have no second job and agree MPs should not have one.

“But we should take no lectures from Labour on this issue. They were in power for 13 years, including during the 2009 expenses scandal, but didn’t act on MPs’ second jobs.

“If this reform is so important, why didn’t they do anything about it when they had the chance?

“Labour should get their own house in order before lecturing others.”