British MP Patrick Mercer offered a journalist, who was posing as a lobbyist, a parliamentary pass for £2,000. It has been reported that Mercer also appeared to agree to take money in order to produce a parliamentary report. In total Mercer received over £4000, half of which he failed to declare according to the parliamentary rules. Patrick Mercer has resigned from the Conservative Party and indicated that he would stand down at the next election. He has referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Committee and is said to be receiving legal advice.