Paper row: Flynn being probed by Commons watchdog over alleged code of conduct breach

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is under investigation over claims he misused Parliamentary stationery.

The Commons Standards Commissioner confirmed the investigation yesterday.

It's understood it's related to a stunt which saw the Aberdeen South MP hand out mugs to journalists in the Commons ridiculing Labour’s u-turn on scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

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The white cups sent to journalists were emblazoned with the phrase in red lettering: “Controls on family sizes. What’s the point of Labour?”

Each mug came with a note reading, “The Labour Party has a new range of mugs in production.

“They’re made in China – just like Sir Keir Starmer’s latest policy…”

However, the notes were all on House of Commons headed paper.

The Commissioner’s website states that Mr Flynn is under investigation for a breach of paragraph eight of the Code of Conduct for MPs.

That section states that except for "modest and reasonable personal use, members must ensure that the use of facilities and services provided to them by Parliament, including an office, is in support of their parliamentary activities, and is in accordance with all relevant rules”.

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An SNP source told our sister paper, The National: "This farce shows Westminster at its most absurd.

"The two-child cap has pushed 20,000 Scottish children into poverty but instead of worrying about the Tories and Labour Party both backing the policy, Westminster is attacking the SNP for daring to speak out."

Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, previously labelled the stunt from Flynn as a “crass political jibe steeped in Sinophobia and misogyny”.