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AMID A corruption probe and deafening calls for him to quit, politician Joseph Hibbert was the face of Parliament's Ethics Committee Tuesday, tabling its report to the House of Representatives.

The report revealed that permission has been granted for Central Manchester Member of Parliament Peter Bunting's company, Proven, to enter into contractual relations with the Government.

When Hibbert tabled the report in the House, the irony of him being in the hot seat did not escape the notice of North West Manchester MP Dean Peart who hissed his teeth, frowned and muttered a slur.

Hibbert the MP for East Rural St Andrew, has been under pressure to resign his seat following revelations of his involvement in a bridge-building scheme with British firm Mabey & Johnson.

Local police have said they would be seeking to use the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to obtain evidence from the United Kingdom to help its case against Hibbert, who has been accused of taking kickbacks from the scandal-smeared firm.

Christie-recommended charges

In a report to Parliament last year, Contractor General Greg Christie recommended that Hibbert be charged for corruption, perjury, and for breaching the Contractor General's Act, citing sworn statements from the UK's Serious Fraud Office.

Hibbert has maintained his innocence even though Christie said he found evidence that he received money from Mabey & Johnson contrary to the rules governing the conduct of public servants.

The rules prohibit public servants from using their office to gain an illicit benefit for themselves or others.

Meanwhile, the Ethics Committee, chaired by Speaker Delroy Chuck, considered the question of Bunting's new business venture. Under the Constitution, MPs must declare their interest in any company which may do business with the Government. Failure to do so may result in them being booted from the House.

The committee granted approval for Bunting's company to enter into contractual arrangements with the State. It said however, that Bunting and all parliamentarians must furnish the committee with information on any contract that they have entered into with the Government.