Politicians suspended over lobbying claims

LONDON, March 23 (UPI) -- Three members of Britain's Parliament have been suspended from the Labor Party for allegedly agreeing to accept cash to influence policy, officials said.

Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon were suspended after a television reporter, posing as a lobbyist, secretly filmed them for the Channel 4 program "Dispatches." The three have denied any wrongdoing, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

Byers, a former transport minister, was filmed saying he was like a "cab for hire," who would work for as much as $7,500 a day, The Times reported.

Hoon, a former defense minister, was filmed saying he charged $4,500 a day for using his international knowledge and contacts.

Hewitt, a former health minister, allegedly told the reporter she was paid $4,500 for helping obtain a key seat for a client on a government advisory group.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to authorize an official investigation after receiving assurances from government offices that Hewitt, Hoon and Byers had not improperly influenced government dealings.