MPs sign support for proposed anti-money laundering measure

An Early Day Motion has been tabled in Parliament expressing concern about money laundering.

The motion particularly references the programme From Russia With Cash which featured estate agents dealing with a dodgy foreign buyer and apparently turning a blind eye to money laundering requirements.

The motion has been tabled by Scottish National Party MP Mark Durkan and has attracted support from across the political spectrum.

Of the 20 MPs who had signed it by yesterday afternoon, eight are Labour MPs, including Labour leader hopeful Jeremy Corbyn.

Alex Salmond is among the eight SNP MPs supporting it.

The motion reads: “That this House notes the recent screening of From Russia with Cash on Channel 4; expresses its concern that the proceeds of corruption are being laundered through the London property market via the use of anonymous offshore companies; and recommends that corporate transparency become a Land Registry requirement so that any foreign company intending to hold a property title in the UK is held to the same standards of transparency required of UK registered companies, so preventing London or other locations from becoming a safe haven for the corrupt.”

Early Day Motions are chiefly used as a platform to gather opinion.

Of the five agents featured in the programme, so far only Marsh & Parsons has issued a statement and did so within hours.

We invited Winkworth to comment. A spokesperson told us: “Our investigation is still ongoing so we cannot comment until it is concluded.”

The RICS is carrying out an investigation into one of its members that was featured, and the NAEA is also investigating.

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2 Comments

  1. Robert May

    An early day motion??? somewhat ironic as Clive Betts MP was told about this in March 2012.

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  2. PeeBee

    There’s only one “early day motion” our politicians can be relied on to manage, Robert – and always in a very different type of ‘chamber’ to that of Westminster… ;o)

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