Peers respond to cash allegations

Lord Truscott and Lord Moonie both deny any wrongdoing

Two of the Labour peers at the centre of claims they were ready to take cash to change legislation have responded to the allegations in the House of Lords.

Lord Snape stood up to refute the allegations made by the Sunday Times.

And Lord Taylor of Blackburn said he apologised if he had done anything to bring the House into disrepute, but said he felt he had followed the rules.

Lords leader Lady Royall called the claims "deeply shocking" and said a "rigorous" inquiry had already begun.

She pointed out that they were only allegations at this stage but said the claims had been "damaging not just to this House but to Parliament and politics".