Lib Dem Sir Robert Smith named as acting ECCC chair

The Liberal Democrat Sir Robert Smith, has been named as the temporary chairman of the Energy and Climate Change select committee (ECCC)

The MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, and deputy chair of the ECCC, will fill the role in the absence of Conservative chairman Tim Yeo, who has temporarily stepped down.

Yeo announced last night (10 June) of his intentions to step down from the post following allegations of ‘coaching’ a businessman on how to influence MPs.

Yeo has vigorously denied any allegations, and in a statement, said: “I want to make it clear that I totally reject these allegations.”

The South Suffolk MP, who has chaired the ECCC since June 2010, referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner stating he wants “this matter to be thoroughly investigated by an independent body”.

Yeo said he has taken the decision to temporarily step down as chairman of the committee because he wants to “ensure the smooth running of the committee during the next few weeks”.

In a statement yesterday (June 10), he said: “I do not wish the [Parliamentary Standards] Commissioner’s investigation to be a distraction from the Committee’s important work.”

The high profile Conservative added: “I firmly believe that I have not breached the MPs Code of Conduct in any respect and therefore await the outcome of the Commissioner’s investigation with confidence.

A long term replacement for Yeo, if he does not return as ECCC chair, would have to be a Conservative MP, but Lib Dem Smith is eligible to fill the role on a short term basis.

Climate change sceptic Peter Lilley had been rumoured to be taking up the role, but he told Utility Week: “Don’t believe everything you read on Twitter! Sir Robert Smith is acting chair.”