LABOUR’S prospective parliamentary candidate for St Helens North, Conor McGinn, has added his voice to the debate over MPs having second jobs.

It follows the furore caused by a journalism sting which alleged former cabinet ministers Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind used their positions to accept money thousands of pounds from a fictitious Chinese company.

Both deny any wrongdoing but have been suspended from their parties. Straw, who is a former Home Secretary had previously announced he would be standing down as an MP at the next election and Rifkind who served under Margaret Thatcher and John Major has since stated that he will not be standing for re-election in May.

Conor McGinn, who quit his role as a political advisor to shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker after he was selected in February, said he will be a full-time MP if elected and challenged all candidates for the St Helens North constituency to do the same.

He said: “People in St Helens North need to know that when they vote this May they are electing an MP who will represent them directly and not be swayed by what they may owe to the interests of others.

“I challenge the other parties’ candidates to join me in saying they will put the people of St Helens North first and not have any second job.”