Following the introduction of new rules which came into force on the 1st July 2009, insisting that Members of Parliament have to disclose all income and time devoted to any second jobs that they may have is the latest tightening up on MP's earnings .

Local MP, Mr Patrick Mercer has been employed on a part time basis for the past 18 months in an advisory role for The Olive Group, a global security firm based in London, for which he is paid £18,000 a year.