Lord Chadlington had appealed against the commissioner’s findings, insisting he had demonstrated his “total commitment to full transparency”, and also to the recommended sanction of a year’s suspension, which he said was “wholly disproportionate”.
However, Lords conduct committee rejected his appeal and upheld the recommendation for a 12-month suspension.
It said there was “no finding that Lord Chadlington deliberately set out to mislead the former commissioner”, but his actions “fell short of the standards the House expects of its members”.
The recommended suspension had been due to be voted on by the whole House of Lords later in March, but on Friday the Tory peer said he would be stepping down.
In a statement, he said: “Although the committee have acknowledged that I did not act dishonestly, it is important that I make clear that I never profited from an introduction, properly made with honourable intent, at a time of unprecedented national crisis.
“Any errors that I did make were honest. I have apologised for them and I do so again today.
“For more than three years, since reaching 80, I have discussed retiring with House officials but did not wish to do so while these investigations were ongoing.
“I have now decided, having proudly served as a peer for 30 years, that the time is right for me to retire and resign my membership of the Conservative Party.”
The committee’s decision was welcomed by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, which had made a complaint that prompted the latest investigation.
A spokesperson for campaign group said it vindicated “years we have spent fighting to expose the truth” about the High Priority Lane.
