David Maddox: Self-certifying politicians

Just come back from the morning Downing Street briefing where the main topic of conversation was cash for access.

This was not the huge sums Labour is demanding for a bus trip with Gordon Brown during the election, but, of course, the Stephen "taxi" Byers, Geoff Hoon et al controversy of asking money from companies to lobby on their behalf.

Byers (pictured right) has apparently boasted that he managed to change legislation, although all will be much clearer this evening when the Channel 4 program making the claims is aired. But this morning it was made clear that the Prime Minister sees no reason for an investigation of any sort.

The reason for this is that the two departments concerned - Transport and Business, Innovation and Skills - run by their Lords Adonis and Mandelson have issued statements saying it is not true.

Which raises the question: What would happen if this principle were to be used in the courts or police investigations?

If it were, all criminals would need to do is say "not true gov" and, whatever the evidence, the courts and constabulary would say "well that's good enough for me, no need to take this further."

Fortunately, our legal systems do not work the same way as our political ones. But this is another example, if one were needed, of the political class operating to different standards than the rest of us.