Guto Bebb: Difference between revisions

Guto Bebb
Guto Bebb
	Official portrait, 2017
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement
	In office; 9 January 2018 – 16 July 2018
Prime Minister	Theresa May
Preceded by	Harriett Baldwin
Succeeded by	Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales
	In office; 19 March 2016 – 9 January 2018
Prime Minister	David Cameron; Theresa May
Preceded by	Alun Cairns
Succeeded by	Stuart Andrew
Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
	In office; 19 March 2016 – 9 January 2018
Prime Minister	David Cameron; Theresa May
Preceded by	Alun Cairns
Succeeded by	Paul Maynard
Member of Parliament; for Aberconwy
	In office; 6 May 2010 – 6 November 2019
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Robin Millar
Personal details
Born	Guto ap Owain Bebb; 9 October 1968 (age 56); Wrexham, Wales
Political party	Independent (2019); Conservative (2002–2019); Plaid Cymru (before 2002)
Spouse	Esyllt Bebb
Children	5
Alma mater	Aberystwyth University
Website	Official website; Parliament biography

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Guto ap Owain Bebb^[1] (born 9 October 1968) is a Welsh politician and former business consultant who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberconwy from 2010 to 2019, having previously lost elections to the Welsh Assembly and the House of Commons. He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Wales Office in 2016–2018 and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence from January 2018 until he resigned in July 2018. First elected as a Conservative, Bebb had the Conservative whip removed on 3 September 2019 and served his remaining months as an independent.

Early life and career

Bebb was born in Wrexham on 9 October 1968 to a family originating from Bangor and Blaenau Ffestiniog. He studied at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen in Caernarfon, then graduated in 1990 from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, with a BA in history. He went on to run an economic development consultancy and work as business development director of Innovas Wales.^[2] He was also a partner in his wife's bookshop.

Bebb is a former Plaid Cymru activist and chaired the party in Caernarfon.^[3] He defected to the Conservatives after failing to gain the party's candidacy for a seat on long-serving incumbent Dafydd Wigley's retirement.

Bebb first stood for the Conservatives in 2002, contesting the safe Labour seat of Ogmore in a 2002 by-election caused by the death of the Labour MP Sir Raymond Powell. He finished a poor fourth behind the successful Huw Irranca-Davies. He stood again in the 2003 Welsh Assembly election, as a candidate in the now-abolished constituency of Conwy. He came third behind Labour and Plaid Cymru. At the 2005 general election he stood in Conwy, this time coming second to Labour.

Parliamentary career

At the 2010 general election, boundary changes led to a new constituency called Aberconwy, based on the former Conwy. Bebb was selected as Conservative candidate and returned as MP for Aberconwy with a majority of 3,398 (11.3 per cent of votes cast).

He has joined several delegations of the Conservative Friends of Israel group,^[4] including one during the Operation Defensive Shield conflict, when he visited for an Israeli military briefing on the Iron Dome defence system.^[5]

In 2013, Bebb voted against same-sex marriage,^[6] but changed his view in 2019, voting in favour of it in Northern Ireland.^[7]

In March 2016, Bebb became the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, after Stephen Crabb's move to the Department for Work and Pensions, and Alun Cairns's subsequent promotion to Secretary of State for Wales.^[8] During Theresa May's January 2018 reshuffle he gained the more senior position of Minister for Defence Procurement in the Ministry of Defence.

In the House of Commons, he has previously sat on the Public Accounts Committee, the Members' Expenses Committee and the Welsh Affairs Committee.^[9]

Bebb stood down at the 2019 general election, citing concerns about the direction the Conservatives were taking.^[10]

Fair business banking

In January 2012, after a complaint by a constituent, Bebb raised the issue of the sale of Interest Rate Swap Agreements (IRSAs) in Parliament. He asked the Leader of the House for a debate on potential mis-selling of these complex interest-rate hedging products (IRHPs) by UK high street banks to over 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) throughout the UK. He also asked the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to look into the issue urgently and in detail. Thereafter the FSA announced it would carry out an investigation into the way these had been sold. On 21 June 2012, Bebb called a backbench business debate in the House of Commons to discuss the IRSA/IRHP mis-selling issue.

After the debate, Bebb wrote to all MPs who had shown interest, inviting them to join an All Party Parliamentary Group seeking meaningful redress for SMEs affected and pursue this on a cross-party basis. By March 2015 there were over 100 cross-party MPs on the APPG, chaired by Calum Kerr MP; the group was renamed Fair Business Banking.^[11]

On 29 June 2012, the FSA reported evidence that over 90 per cent of the sales had been mis-sales and that substantial damage had resulted to SMEs which had been mis-sold these products. The FSA announced it had agreed with the four largest high street banks on a review and redress scheme. This was later extended to another seven banks.^[12] Viewing the slow progress and poor customer outcomes from the bank-led FSA IRHP Review, Bebb then called and led further back-bench debates on the issue — the last in December 2014, when MPs across the house criticised the poor performance of the Financial Conduct Authority (successor to the FSA) IRHP Review scheme.^[13]

After hearings with the FCA and complaints from the APPG, victim groups, individual victims and various industry experts, the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) on 10 March 2015 published a report expressing concerns about the performance of the FCA's IRHP Redress Scheme and called for an independently monitored review of it.^[14] This call was backed by the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrea Leadsom.^[15] The FCA has yet to respond to either the TSC or HM Treasury.^{[citation needed]}

Controversies

Bebb employed his wife as a part-time office manager.^[16] In August 2017, he was accused of nepotism, having made the appointment just before a parliamentary ban on such practices came into force.^[17] Some sections of the media had previously criticised the practice of MPs employing family members, as unfair to other potential candidates.^[18]^[19] Though MPs who were first elected in 2017 have been banned from employing family members, the move was not retrospective: Bebb's employment of his wife remained lawful.^[20]

In August 2013, it was reported that Bebb had claimed the third highest food and drinks expenses claim in the country and the highest overall expenses claim for an MP in North Wales. He responded that all his claims were within the revised expenses regulations.^[21] In October 2012, he was criticised for claiming expenses for first-class tickets when he travelled by rail, despite official guidance from parliamentary watchdog IPSA – set up in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal – saying politicians should "consider value for money" when booking tickets. However, he argued that his claims were permissible under the expenses rules and that the first class tickets were cheaper than some standard class tickets available.^[22]

Bebb attracted media notice for using controversial language against critical constituents. In 2014, he entered a dispute with an Aberconwy constituent after an exchange on Twitter, leading to media criticism of negative comments he made about Asperger's syndrome.^[23]^[24]^[25]

In April 2015, argumentative emails between Bebb and his local Conservative Party Association chairman were leaked and reported by the BBC. Bebb was accused of lack of loyalty and support to the Welsh Conservatives, for not living in the constituency and for being egocentric. Bebb replied that the chairman was a "disgrace" and his own work was in line with advice from the national Conservative Party.^[26]

European Union

Bebb was opposed to Brexit before the 2016 EU membership referendum. He retained Aberconwy in the 2017 general election with a small majority of 635 votes.^[27]

On 16 July 2018, Bebb voted against the government on the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill, so resigning as Minister for Defence Procurement by convention of the payroll vote.^[28] He also backed the People's Vote campaign for a public vote on the final Brexit deal,^[29] co-founding the Right to Vote group in early 2019.^[30] Bebb's withdrawal as minister left him free to endorse a second referendum on Brexit.^[31]

Personal life

Bebb's native language is Welsh. He is the grandson of Ambrose Bebb, co-founder of Plaid Cymru,^[3] the nephew of Welsh rugby international Dewi Bebb and the first cousin of professional golfer Sion Bebb. He is married to Esyllt Bebb. The couple have five children.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Crown Office". Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ "Aberystwyth at Westminster". Aberystwyth University. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
^ ^a ^b Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010, p. 87.
^ "Delegations". Conservative Friends of Israel. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
^ Mason, Rowena (30 July 2014). "Tory MPs' visit to Israel condemned as bad timing". TheGuardian.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ "MP-by-MP: Gay marriage vote". BBC News. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn) - CommonsVotes". commonsvotes.digiminster.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
^ "Office of the Secretary of State for Wales – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
^ "Guto Bebb". Parliament UK. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ "Welsh MP Guto Bebb to stand down at election over Tory concerns". BBC News. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "House of Commons – Register Of All-Party Groups as at 30 March 2015: Interest Rate Swap Mis-Selling". Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ "Interest rate hedging products (IRHP)". 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ "MPs debated the Financial Conduct Authority's redress scheme". parliament.uk. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
^ "House of Commons – Conduct and competition in SME lending – Treasury". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ Leadsom, Andrea (12 March 2015). "Letter" (PDF). HM Treasury. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
^ "IPSA". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ "Nepotism update". Private Eye. London: Pressdram Ltd. 11 August 2017.
^ "One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed". The Daily Telegraph. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ Mason, Rowena (29 June 2015). "Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ "MPs banned from employing spouses after election in expenses crackdown". London Evening Standard. 21 April 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ "MPs Expenses: Guto Bebb claims more than any other member in North Wales". Daily Post. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ "The gravy train: MPs travel first class". The Daily Telegraph. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ Culzac, Natasha (5 September 2014). "MP advises man not to 'publicly comment' on issues if he has mental health problems". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
^ Williamson, David (5 September 2014). "Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb embroiled in controversy with man who has Asperger's syndrome". Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ "TheyWorkForYou". www.theyworkforyou.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
^ "Election 2015: Aberconwy Tory hopeful loses chairman's backing". BBC News. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
^ Goodenough, Tom (16 February 2016). "Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
^ "Government scrapes through EU customs votes". BBC News. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
^ Wheeler, Brian (11 September 2018). "The Brexit factions reshaping UK politics". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018. Sarah Wollaston, has joined the People's Vote campaign along with Phillip Lee and Guto Bebb
^ Lee, Phillip (19 March 2019). "Archived copy" (PDF). Letter to Theresa May. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Senior Tories urge free vote on second referendum Archived 16 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine The Observer. 15 December 2018

External links

Guto Bebb Official website
Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
Voting record at Public Whip
Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou

Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Aberconwy 2010–2019	Succeeded by Robin Millar

[1] "Crown Office". Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[2] "Aberystwyth at Westminster". Aberystwyth University. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2010.

[autogenerated1-3] Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010, p. 87.

[4] "Delegations". Conservative Friends of Israel. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2018.

[5] Mason, Rowena (30 July 2014). "Tory MPs' visit to Israel condemned as bad timing". TheGuardian.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[6] "MP-by-MP: Gay marriage vote". BBC News. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.

[7] "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn) - CommonsVotes". commonsvotes.digiminster.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.

[8] "Office of the Secretary of State for Wales – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.

[parliamentbiobebb-9] "Guto Bebb". Parliament UK. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[10] "Welsh MP Guto Bebb to stand down at election over Tory concerns". BBC News. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[11] "House of Commons – Register Of All-Party Groups as at 30 March 2015: Interest Rate Swap Mis-Selling". Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[12] "Interest rate hedging products (IRHP)". 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[13] "MPs debated the Financial Conduct Authority's redress scheme". parliament.uk. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2014.

[14] "House of Commons – Conduct and competition in SME lending – Treasury". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[15] Leadsom, Andrea (12 March 2015). "Letter" (PDF). HM Treasury. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2018.

[16] "IPSA". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[17] "Nepotism update". Private Eye. London: Pressdram Ltd. 11 August 2017.

[18] "One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed". The Daily Telegraph. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[19] Mason, Rowena (29 June 2015). "Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[20] "MPs banned from employing spouses after election in expenses crackdown". London Evening Standard. 21 April 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[21] "MPs Expenses: Guto Bebb claims more than any other member in North Wales". Daily Post. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[22] "The gravy train: MPs travel first class". The Daily Telegraph. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[23] Culzac, Natasha (5 September 2014). "MP advises man not to 'publicly comment' on issues if he has mental health problems". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

[24] Williamson, David (5 September 2014). "Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb embroiled in controversy with man who has Asperger's syndrome". Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[auto-25] "TheyWorkForYou". www.theyworkforyou.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.

[BBC-26] "Election 2015: Aberconwy Tory hopeful loses chairman's backing". BBC News. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.

[thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit-27] Goodenough, Tom (16 February 2016). "Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2016.

[28] "Government scrapes through EU customs votes". BBC News. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.

[29] Wheeler, Brian (11 September 2018). "The Brexit factions reshaping UK politics". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018. Sarah Wollaston, has joined the People's Vote campaign along with Phillip Lee and Guto Bebb

[30] Lee, Phillip (19 March 2019). "Archived copy" (PDF). Letter to Theresa May. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[31] Senior Tories urge free vote on second referendum Archived 16 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine The Observer. 15 December 2018

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|Welsh Independent politician}}
+{{Short description|Welsh Independent politician, born 1968}}
 {{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
-|name             = Guto Bebb
+|name = Guto Bebb
 |honorific-suffix =
 |image = Official portrait of Guto Bebb crop 2.jpg
+|caption = Official portrait, 2017
-|office1          = [[Minister for Defence Procurement]]
+|office1 = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement]]
-|primeminister1   = [[Theresa May]]
+|primeminister1 = [[Theresa May]]
-|term_start1      = 9 January 2018
-|term_end1        = 16 July 2018
+|term_start1 = 9 January 2018
+|term_end1 = 16 July 2018
-|predecessor1     = [[Harriett Baldwin]]
-|successor1       = [[Stuart Andrew]]
+|predecessor1 = [[Harriett Baldwin]]
+|successor1 = [[Stuart Andrew]]
-|office2          = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] [[Office of the Secretary of State for Wales|for Wales]]
+|office2 = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales]]
-|primeminister2   = [[David Cameron]]<br />[[Theresa May]]
+|primeminister2 = [[David Cameron]]<br />[[Theresa May]]
-|term_start2      = 26 June 2016
+|term_start2 = 19 March 2016
-|term_end2        = 9 January 2018
+|term_end2 = 9 January 2018
-|predecessor2     = [[Alun Cairns]]
-|successor2       = [[Stuart Andrew]]
+|predecessor2 = [[Alun Cairns]]
+|successor2 = [[Stuart Andrew]]
-|office3          = [[Lords Commissioners of the Treasury|Lord Commissioner of the Treasury]]
+|office3 = [[Lord Commissioner of the Treasury]]
-|primeminister3   = [[David Cameron]]<br />[[Theresa May]]
+|primeminister3 = [[David Cameron]]<br />[[Theresa May]]
-|term_start3      = 26 June 2016
+|term_start3 = 19 March 2016
-|term_end3        = 9 January 2018
+|term_end3 = 9 January 2018
-|office4          = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]]
+|predecessor3 = [[Alun Cairns]]
-|term_start4      = 6 May 2010
+|successor3 = [[Paul Maynard]]
-|term_end4        = 6 November 2019
+|office4 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]]
-|predecessor4     = ''Constituency established''
+|term_start4 = 6 May 2010
-|successor4       = [[Robin Millar (politician)|Robin Millar]]
+|term_end4 = 6 November 2019
-|majority4        =
+|predecessor4 = ''Constituency established''
-|birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1968|10|9|df=y}}
+|successor4 = [[Robin Millar (politician)|Robin Millar]]
-|birth_place      = [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]]
+|majority4 =
-|death_date       =
+|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|10|9|df=y}}
-|death_place      =
+|birth_place = [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]]
-|party            = [[Independent politician|Independent]] {{small|(2019-present)}}<br />[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] {{small|(2002-2019)}}<br />[[Plaid Cymru]] {{small|(before 2002)}}
+|death_date =
-|spouse           = Esyllt Bebb
+|death_place =
-|children         = 5
+|party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2019)<br />[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (2002–2019)<br />[[Plaid Cymru]] (before 2002)
-|alma_mater       = [[Aberystwyth University]]
+|spouse = Esyllt Bebb
-|website          = [http://www.gutobebb.org.uk Official website]<br />[http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 Parliament biography]
+|children = 5
-|predecessor3=[[Alun Cairns]]|successor3=[[Paul Maynard]]}}
+|alma_mater = [[Aberystwyth University]]
-'''Guto ap Owain Bebb'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59418/notices/1118281/from=2010-05-06;to=2010-05-19;all=returned%20westminster/ |title=Crown Office |publisher= |accessdate=21 July 2016}}</ref> (born 9 October 1968) is a [[Welsh people|Welsh]] politician and former business consultant who served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]] since the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]] until the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]]. He had previously unsuccessfully contested elections to both the [[Welsh Assembly]] and the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].
+|website = [http://www.gutobebb.org.uk Official website]<br />[http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 Parliament biography]
+|birth_name = Guto ap Owain Bebb
-He has served as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] at the [[Wales Office]] from 2016 to 2018, and as [[Minister for Defence Procurement]] at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] from January 2018 until his resignation in July 2018. First elected as a [[Welsh Conservative Party|Conservative]], Bebb had the Conservative [[September 2019 suspension of rebel Conservative MPs|whip removed on 3 September 2019]] and served his remaining months as an [[independent politician]].
+}}
+'''Guto ap Owain Bebb'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59418/notices/1118281/from=2010-05-06;to=2010-05-19;all=returned%20westminster/ |title=Crown Office |access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref> (born 9 October 1968) is a [[Welsh people|Welsh]] politician and former business consultant who served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]] from 2010 to 2019, having previously lost elections to the [[Welsh Assembly]] and the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. He served as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] at the [[Wales Office]] in 2016–2018 and as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement]] at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] from January 2018 until he resigned in July 2018. First elected as a [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative]], Bebb had the Conservative [[2019 suspension of rebel Conservative MPs|whip removed on 3 September 2019]] and served his remaining months as an independent.
 ==Early life and career==
-Bebb was born in [[Wrexham]] on 9 October 1968 to a family who originated from [[Upper Bangor|Bangor]] and [[Blaenau Ffestiniog]], and was a student at [[Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen]] in [[Caernarfon]]. He graduated in 1990 from the [[Aberystwyth University|University of Wales, Aberystwyth]], with a BA in history. He subsequently ran an economic development consultancy and also worked as the business development director of Innovas Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html |title=Aberystwyth at Westminster |publisher=Aberystwyth University |accessdate=29 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612011647/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also a partner in his wife's bookshop.
+Bebb was born in [[Wrexham]] on 9 October 1968 to a family originating from [[Upper Bangor|Bangor]] and [[Blaenau Ffestiniog]]. He studied at [[Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen]] in [[Caernarfon]], then graduated in 1990 from the [[University of Wales, Aberystwyth]], with a BA in history. He went on to run an economic development consultancy and work as business development director of Innovas Wales.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html |title=Aberystwyth at Westminster |publisher=Aberystwyth University |access-date=29 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612011647/http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2010/05/title-85880-en.html |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was also a partner in his wife's bookshop.
-He is a former [[Plaid Cymru]] activist, and was chair of the party in [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|Caernarfon]].<ref name=autogenerated1>Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010, p87</ref> He defected to the Conservatives after failing to be selected as the party's candidate for the seat on long-serving incumbent Dafydd Wigley's retirement.
+Bebb is a former [[Plaid Cymru]] activist and chaired the party in [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|Caernarfon]].<ref name=autogenerated1>Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010, p. 87.</ref> He defected to the Conservatives after failing to gain the party's candidacy for a seat on long-serving incumbent [[Dafydd Wigley]]'s retirement.
-Bebb first stood for the Conservatives in 2002, when he contested the safe Labour seat of [[Ogmore (UK Parliament constituency)|Ogmore]] in a [[2002 Ogmore by-election|2002 by-election]] caused by the death of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP [[Ray Powell (Welsh politician)|Sir Raymond Powell]]. He finished in fourth place, many votes behind the successful candidate, [[Huw Irranca-Davies]]. He stood again in the [[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003 Welsh Assembly election]] in which he was a candidate in the now-abolished constituency of [[Conwy (National Assembly for Wales constituency)|Conwy]]. He came third, behind Labour and Plaid Cymru. At the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]] he stood in [[Conwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Conwy]], this time coming second behind Labour.
+Bebb first stood for the Conservatives in 2002, contesting the safe Labour seat of [[Ogmore (UK Parliament constituency)|Ogmore]] in a [[2002 Ogmore by-election|2002 by-election]] caused by the death of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP [[Ray Powell (British politician)|Sir Raymond Powell]]. He finished a poor fourth behind the successful [[Huw Irranca-Davies]]. He stood again in the [[2003 Welsh Assembly election]], as a candidate in the now-abolished constituency of [[Conwy (Assembly constituency)|Conwy]]. He came third behind Labour and Plaid Cymru. At the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]] he stood in [[Conwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Conwy]], this time coming second to Labour.
 ==Parliamentary career==
-At the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], boundary changes led to the creation of a new constituency called [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]], based on the former Conwy. Bebb was selected as the Conservative candidate for this new seat, and was returned as the MP for Aberconwy with a majority of 3,398 or 11.3%.
+At the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], boundary changes led to a new constituency called [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]], based on the former Conwy. Bebb was selected as Conservative candidate and returned as MP for Aberconwy with a majority of 3,398 (11.3 per cent of votes cast).
-He has been part of a number of delegations of the [[Conservative Friends of Israel]] group,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Delegations/RecentDelegations/ |archivedate=10 August 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810141452/http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Delegations/RecentDelegations/ |title=Delegations |publisher=Conservative Friends of Israel |accessdate=14 June 2018}}</ref> including during the [[Operation Defensive Shield]] conflict when he visited for an Israeli military briefing on the [[Iron Dome]] defence system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/30/tory-mps-visit-israel-condemned-bad-timing |title=Tory MPs' visit to Israel condemned as bad timing |first=Rowena |last=Mason |date=30 July 2014 |publisher= |accessdate=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126110223/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/30/tory-mps-visit-israel-condemned-bad-timing |archive-date=26 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+He has joined several delegations of the [[Conservative Friends of Israel]] group,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Delegations/RecentDelegations/ |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810141452/http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Delegations/RecentDelegations/ |title=Delegations |publisher=Conservative Friends of Israel |access-date=14 June 2018}}</ref> including one during the [[Operation Defensive Shield]] conflict, when he visited for an Israeli military briefing on the [[Iron Dome]] defence system.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/30/tory-mps-visit-israel-condemned-bad-timing |title=Tory MPs' visit to Israel condemned as bad timing |first=Rowena |last=Mason |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=30 July 2014 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126110223/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/30/tory-mps-visit-israel-condemned-bad-timing |archive-date=26 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-In 2013, Bebb voted against same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-21346694|title=MP-by-MP: Gay marriage vote|date=5 February 2013|via=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724163028/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-21346694|archive-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2019 he voted in favour same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, signalling a change of opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/699|title=Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn) - CommonsVotes|website=commonsvotes.digiminster.com|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710171913/https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/699|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In 2013, Bebb voted against same-sex marriage,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-21346694 |title=MP-by-MP: Gay marriage vote|work=BBC News |date=5 February 2013 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724163028/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-21346694|archive-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> but changed his view in 2019, voting in favour of it in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/699 |title=Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn) - CommonsVotes|website=commonsvotes.digiminster.com |access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710171913/https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/699 |archive-date=10 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-In March 2016, Bebb became the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, following [[Stephen Crabb]]'s move to the [[Department for Work and Pensions]], and [[Alun Cairns]]' subsequent promotion to [[Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wales-office |title=Office of the Secretary of State for Wales – GOV.UK |website=www.gov.uk |accessdate=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107121803/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wales-office |archive-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of Theresa May's [[2018 British cabinet reshuffle|January 2018 reshuffle]] he was promoted to the more senior position of [[Minister for Defence Procurement]] in the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]].
+In March 2016, Bebb became the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, after [[Stephen Crabb]]'s move to the [[Department for Work and Pensions]], and [[Alun Cairns]]'s subsequent promotion to [[Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wales-office |title=Office of the Secretary of State for Wales – GOV.UK |website=www.gov.uk |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107121803/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wales-office |archive-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> During Theresa May's [[2018 British cabinet reshuffle|January 2018 reshuffle]] he gained the more senior position of [[Minister for Defence Procurement]] in the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]].
-In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] he has previously sat on the Public Accounts Committee, the Members' Expenses Committee and the Welsh Affairs Committee.<ref name=parliamentbiobebb>{{cite web |title=Guto Bebb |url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 |website=Parliament UK |accessdate=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163243/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], he has previously sat on the Public Accounts Committee, the Members' Expenses Committee and the Welsh Affairs Committee.<ref name=parliamentbiobebb>{{Cite web |title=Guto Bebb |url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 |website=Parliament UK |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163243/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/guto-bebb/3910 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+Bebb stood down at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], citing concerns about the direction the Conservatives were taking.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-48980318 |title=Welsh MP Guto Bebb to stand down at election over Tory concerns |work=BBC News |date=14 July 2019 |access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>
-===Work on Fair Business Banking===
-In January 2012, following a complaint by a constituent, Bebb raised the issue of the sale of Interest Rate Swap Agreements ("IRSAs") in Parliament. He asked the Leader of the House for a debate on the potential mis-selling of these complex interest rate hedging products ("IRHPs") by UK high street banks to over 40,000 small and medium-sized Businesses ("SMEs") throughout the UK. He also asked the Financial Services Authority ("the FSA") to look at this issue urgently and in detail. After Bebb had raised the issue in Parliament, the FSA announced that they would carry out an investigation into the way these products had been sold. On 21 June 2012, Bebb called a backbench business debate in the House of Commons to discuss the IRSA/IRHP mis-selling issue.
+===Fair business banking===
-After this debate, Bebb wrote to all MPs who had shown an interest in this subject inviting them to join an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). The purpose of this APPG was to seek meaningful redress for those SMEs that had been affected by the mis-selling of interest rate swaps and to pursue this on a cross-party basis. As of March 2015, there were over 100 MPs of various parties on the APPG, chaired by Calum Kerr MP, and the group has been renamed Fair Business Banking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/interest-rate-swap-mis-selling.htm |title=House of Commons - Register Of All-Party Groups as at 30 March 2015: Interest Rate Swap Mis-Selling |publisher= |accessdate=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822183024/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/interest-rate-swap-mis-selling.htm |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+In January 2012, after a complaint by a constituent, Bebb raised the issue of the sale of Interest Rate Swap Agreements (IRSAs) in Parliament. He asked the Leader of the House for a debate on potential mis-selling of these complex interest-rate hedging products (IRHPs) by UK high street banks to over 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) throughout the UK. He also asked the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to look into the issue urgently and in detail. Thereafter the FSA announced it would carry out an investigation into the way these had been sold. On 21 June 2012, Bebb called a backbench business debate in the House of Commons to discuss the IRSA/IRHP mis-selling issue.
+After the debate, Bebb wrote to all MPs who had shown interest, inviting them to join an All Party Parliamentary Group seeking meaningful redress for SMEs affected and pursue this on a cross-party basis. By March 2015 there were over 100 cross-party MPs on the APPG, chaired by Calum Kerr MP; the group was renamed Fair Business Banking.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/interest-rate-swap-mis-selling.htm |title=House of Commons – Register Of All-Party Groups as at 30 March 2015: Interest Rate Swap Mis-Selling |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822183024/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/interest-rate-swap-mis-selling.htm |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-On 29 June 2012, the FSA reported that it had investigated the sale of IRSA/IRHPs to SMEs and had found evidence that over 90% of these sales had been mis-sales and that substantial damage had resulted to those SMEs mis-sold these products. The FSA announced that it had agreed with the four largest high street banks that a review and redress scheme would be put in place. This agreement was subsequently extended to a further seven banks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/banking/interest-rate-hedging-products |title=Interest rate hedging products (IRHP) |date=18 February 2016 |publisher= |accessdate=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528205401/http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/banking/interest-rate-hedging-products |archive-date=28 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of slow progress and poor customer outcomes from the bank-led FSA IRHP Review, Bebb subsequently called and led two further backbench debates on the issue—the last in December 2014 when MPs across the house criticised the poor performance of the now Financial Conduct Authority ("the FCA" which had subsequently replaced the FSA) IRHP Review scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/backbench-business-committee/news/mps-debate-the-financial-conduct-authoritys-redress-scheme/ |title=MPs debated the Financial Conduct Authority's redress scheme |date=4 December 2014 |publisher=parliament.uk |accessdate=4 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211045113/http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/backbench-business-committee/news/mps-debate-the-financial-conduct-authoritys-redress-scheme/ |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-Following hearings with the FCA and complaints from the APPG, victim groups, individual victims and various industry experts, the Treasury Select Committee (TSC), on 10 March 2015, published a report expressing concerns about the performance of the FCA's IRHP Redress Scheme and called for an independently monitored review of the Scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmtreasy/204/20402.htm |title=House of Commons – Conduct and competition in SME lending – Treasury |publisher= |accessdate=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073412/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmtreasy/204/20402.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> This call for an independent review of the FCA's IRHP Scheme was immediately backed by the then [[Economic Secretary to the Treasury]], [[Andrea Leadsom]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412143/120315-letter.pdf |title=Letter |first=Andrea |last=Leadsom |date=12 March 2015 |publisher=HM Treasury |accessdate=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065202/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412143/120315-letter.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The FCA has not responded yet to either the TSC or HM Treasury.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
+On 29 June 2012, the FSA reported evidence that over 90 per cent of the sales had been mis-sales and that substantial damage had resulted to SMEs which had been mis-sold these products. The FSA announced it had agreed with the four largest high street banks on a review and redress scheme. This was later extended to another seven banks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/banking/interest-rate-hedging-products |title=Interest rate hedging products (IRHP) |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528205401/http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/banking/interest-rate-hedging-products |archive-date=28 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Viewing the slow progress and poor customer outcomes from the bank-led FSA IRHP Review, Bebb then called and led further back-bench debates on the issue — the last in December 2014, when MPs across the house criticised the poor performance of the Financial Conduct Authority (successor to the FSA) IRHP Review scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/backbench-business-committee/news/mps-debate-the-financial-conduct-authoritys-redress-scheme/ |title=MPs debated the Financial Conduct Authority's redress scheme |date=4 December 2014 |publisher=parliament.uk |access-date=4 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211045113/http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/backbench-business-committee/news/mps-debate-the-financial-conduct-authoritys-redress-scheme/ |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+After hearings with the FCA and complaints from the APPG, victim groups, individual victims and various industry experts, the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) on 10 March 2015 published a report expressing concerns about the performance of the FCA's IRHP Redress Scheme and called for an independently monitored review of it.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmtreasy/204/20402.htm |title=House of Commons – Conduct and competition in SME lending – Treasury |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073412/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmtreasy/204/20402.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> This call was backed by the then [[Economic Secretary to the Treasury]], [[Andrea Leadsom]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412143/120315-letter.pdf |title=Letter |first=Andrea |last=Leadsom |date=12 March 2015 |publisher=HM Treasury |access-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065202/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412143/120315-letter.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The FCA has yet to respond to either the TSC or HM Treasury.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
 ===Controversies===
-Bebb employs his wife as a part-time office manager.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/guto-bebb/ |title=IPSA |publisher=GOV.UK |accessdate=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613021800/http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/guto-bebb/ |archive-date=13 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2017, he was accused of [[nepotism]] after he made the appointment just before a parliamentary ban on such practices came into force.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=11 August 2017 |title=Nepotism update |url= |magazine=[[Private Eye]] |location=London |publisher=Pressdram Ltd}}</ref> Some sections of the media had previously criticised the practice of MPs employing family members, on the lines that it is not fair to other potential candidates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11706561/One-in-four-MPs-employs-a-family-member-the-full-list-revealed.html |title=One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed |date=29 June 2015 |work=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402065627/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11706561/One-in-four-MPs-employs-a-family-member-the-full-list-revealed.html |archive-date=2 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |title=Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/29/mps-continue-hire-relatives-as-staff |accessdate=17 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=29 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810142533/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/29/mps-continue-hire-relatives-as-staff |archive-date=10 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although MPs who were first elected in [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]] have been banned from employing family members, the restriction is not retrospective – meaning that Bebb's employment of his wife is lawful.<ref>{{cite news |title=MPs banned from employing spouses after election in expenses crackdown |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html |work=London Evening Standard |accessdate=17 October 2018 |author= |date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225210938/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Bebb employed his wife as a part-time office manager.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/guto-bebb/ |title=IPSA |publisher=GOV.UK |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613021800/http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/guto-bebb/ |archive-date=13 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2017, he was accused of [[nepotism]], having made the appointment just before a parliamentary ban on such practices came into force.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=11 August 2017 |title=Nepotism update |magazine=[[Private Eye]] |location=London |publisher=Pressdram Ltd}}</ref> Some sections of the media had previously criticised the practice of MPs employing family members, as unfair to other potential candidates.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11706561/One-in-four-MPs-employs-a-family-member-the-full-list-revealed.html |title=One in five MPs employs a family member: the full list revealed |date=29 June 2015 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402065627/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11706561/One-in-four-MPs-employs-a-family-member-the-full-list-revealed.html |archive-date=2 April 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |title=Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/29/mps-continue-hire-relatives-as-staff |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=29 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810142533/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/29/mps-continue-hire-relatives-as-staff |archive-date=10 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Though MPs who were first elected in [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]] have been banned from employing family members, the move was not retrospective: Bebb's employment of his wife remained lawful.<ref>{{Cite news |title=MPs banned from employing spouses after election in expenses crackdown |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=17 October 2018 |date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225210938/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-banned-from-employing-spouses-after-election-in-expenses-crackdown-a3520036.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-In August 2013, it was reported that Bebb had claimed the third-highest food and drinks expenses claim in the country, as well as the highest overall expenses claim for an MP in North Wales. However, he responded that all his claims were within the revised expenses regulations.<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs Expenses: Guto Bebb claims more than any other member in North Wales|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mps-expenses-guto-bebb-claims-5744302|work=Daily Post|accessdate=17 October 2018|date=17 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163140/https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mps-expenses-guto-bebb-claims-5744302|archive-date=17 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2012, he was criticised for claiming expenses for first class tickets when he travelled by rail, despite official guidance from parliamentary watchdog IPSA - set up in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal - saying politicians should "consider value for money" when booking tickets. However, he argued that his claims were permissible within the expenses rules and that the first class tickets were cheaper than some standard class tickets available.<ref>{{cite news|title=The gravy train: MPs travel first class|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9623075/The-gravy-train-185-MPs-travel-first-class-and-24-claim-for-club-class-flights.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=17 October 2018|date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203132/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9623075/The-gravy-train-185-MPs-travel-first-class-and-24-claim-for-club-class-flights.html|archive-date=17 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In August 2013, it was reported that Bebb had claimed the third highest food and drinks expenses claim in the country and the highest overall expenses claim for an MP in North Wales. He responded that all his claims were within the revised expenses regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |title=MPs Expenses: Guto Bebb claims more than any other member in North Wales |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mps-expenses-guto-bebb-claims-5744302 |work=Daily Post |access-date=17 October 2018 |date=17 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163140/https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mps-expenses-guto-bebb-claims-5744302 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2012, he was criticised for claiming expenses for first-class tickets when he travelled by rail, despite official guidance from parliamentary watchdog IPSA – set up in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal – saying politicians should "consider value for money" when booking tickets. However, he argued that his claims were permissible under the expenses rules and that the first class tickets were cheaper than some standard class tickets available.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The gravy train: MPs travel first class |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9623075/The-gravy-train-185-MPs-travel-first-class-and-24-claim-for-club-class-flights.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=17 October 2018 |date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203132/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9623075/The-gravy-train-185-MPs-travel-first-class-and-24-claim-for-club-class-flights.html |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-Bebb has attracted media attention for some of his more controversial language used when interacting with critical constituents. In 2014, Bebb became involved in a dispute with an Aberconwy constituent after an exchange on Twitter, leading to criticism in the media<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mp-advises-man-not-to-publicly-comment-on-issues-if-he-has-mental-health-problems-9714735.html|title=MP advises man not to 'publicly comment' on issues if he has mental health problems|last=Culzac|first=Natasha|date=5 September 2014|location=London|work=The Independent|accessdate=5 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905193656/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mp-advises-man-not-to-publicly-comment-on-issues-if-he-has-mental-health-problems-9714735.html|archive-date=5 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> regarding his negative comments about [[Asperger syndrome|Asperger's syndrome]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/aberconwy-mp-guto-bebb-embroiled-7728164|title=Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb embroiled in controversy with man who has Asperger's syndrome|first=David|last=Williamson|date=5 September 2014|publisher=|accessdate=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513133558/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/aberconwy-mp-guto-bebb-embroiled-7728164|archive-date=13 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24736/guto_bebb/aberconwy|title=TheyWorkForYou|website=www.theyworkforyou.com|accessdate=25 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420035242/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24736/guto_bebb/aberconwy|archive-date=20 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, he accused a constituent of "talking out of his ****hole" when he challenged him on his voting record, asking him if he had voted against getting rid of the cap on public sector pay, as well as the deal between the Conservatives and the [[Democratic Unionist Party]].{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}
+Bebb attracted media notice for using controversial language against critical constituents. In 2014, he entered a dispute with an Aberconwy constituent after an exchange on Twitter, leading to media criticism of negative comments he made about [[Asperger's syndrome]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mp-advises-man-not-to-publicly-comment-on-issues-if-he-has-mental-health-problems-9714735.html |title=MP advises man not to 'publicly comment' on issues if he has mental health problems |last=Culzac |first=Natasha |date=5 September 2014 |location=London |work=The Independent |access-date=5 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905193656/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mp-advises-man-not-to-publicly-comment-on-issues-if-he-has-mental-health-problems-9714735.html |archive-date=5 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/aberconwy-mp-guto-bebb-embroiled-7728164 |title=Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb embroiled in controversy with man who has Asperger's syndrome |first=David|last=Williamson |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513133558/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/aberconwy-mp-guto-bebb-embroiled-7728164 |archive-date=13 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24736/guto_bebb/aberconwy |title=TheyWorkForYou |website=www.theyworkforyou.com |access-date=25 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420035242/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24736/guto_bebb/aberconwy |archive-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-In April 2015, argumentative emails between Bebb and the chairman of his local Conservative Party Association were leaked and reported by the BBC. Bebb was accused of a lack of loyalty and support in regards to the Welsh Conservatives, not living in the constituency and being egocentric. Bebb responded that the chairman was a 'disgrace' and his work had been line with advice from the national Conservative Party.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32321696|publisher=BBC News|date=15 April 2015|title=Election 2015: Aberconwy Tory hopeful loses chairman's backing|accessdate=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111102207/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32321696|archive-date=11 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In April 2015, argumentative emails between Bebb and his local Conservative Party Association chairman were leaked and reported by the BBC. Bebb was accused of lack of loyalty and support to the Welsh Conservatives, for not living in the constituency and for being egocentric. Bebb replied that the chairman was a "disgrace" and his own work was in line with advice from the national Conservative Party.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32321696 |publisher=BBC News |date=15 April 2015 |title=Election 2015: Aberconwy Tory hopeful loses chairman's backing |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111102207/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32321696 |archive-date=11 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 ===European Union===
-Bebb was opposed to [[Brexit]] before the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 EU membership referendum]]. He retained Aberconwy in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] with a small majority of 635 votes.<ref name="thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit">{{cite news|last1=Goodenough|first1=Tom|title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|accessdate=11 October 2016|work=The Spectator|date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502030758/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|archive-date=2 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Bebb was opposed to [[Brexit]] before the [[2016 EU membership referendum]]. He retained Aberconwy in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] with a small majority of 635 votes.<ref name="thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit">{{Cite news |last1=Goodenough |first1=Tom |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |access-date=11 October 2016 |work=The Spectator |date=16 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502030758/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|archive-date=2 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-On 16 July 2018, Bebb voted against the Government on the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill, thereby resigning his role as [[Minister for Defence Procurement]] by convention of the [[payroll vote]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44854597 |title=Government scrapes through EU customs votes |date=17 July 2018 |publisher= |accessdate=17 July 2018 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717182709/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44854597 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also supported the [[People's Vote]] campaign for a [[Proposed referendum on the Brexit withdrawal agreement|public vote on the final Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Brian |title=The Brexit factions reshaping UK politics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44870393 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 September 2018 |accessdate=15 September 2018 |quote=[[Sarah Wollaston]], has joined the People's Vote campaign along with [[Phillip Lee (politician)|Phillip Lee]] and Guto Bebb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907052807/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44870393 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> co-founding the group [[Right to Vote]] in early 2019.<ref>{{cite letter |first=Phillip |last=Lee |recipient=[[Theresa May]] |subject=Letter to the Prime Minister from Dr Phillip Lee MP |date=19 March 2019 |url=https://cdn.righttovote.co.uk/assets/righttovote-PMletter19thMarch.pdf |format=pdf |accessdate=4 April 2019 |title=Archived copy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404201125/https://cdn.righttovote.co.uk/assets/righttovote-PMletter19thMarch.pdf |archivedate=4 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-Bebb resigned as a minister because he wanted to be free to endorse a second referendum on [[Brexit]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/15/senior-tories-cabinet-urge-free-vote-second-referendum Senior Tories urge free vote on second referendum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216152147/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/15/senior-tories-cabinet-urge-free-vote-second-referendum |date=16 December 2018 }} ''[[The Observer]]''. 15 December 2018</ref> He stood down
+On 16 July 2018, Bebb voted against the government on the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill, so resigning as [[Minister for Defence Procurement]] by convention of the [[payroll vote]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44854597 |title=Government scrapes through EU customs votes |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717182709/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44854597 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also backed the [[People's Vote]] campaign for a [[Proposed referendum on the Brexit withdrawal agreement|public vote on the final Brexit deal]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Brian |title=The Brexit factions reshaping UK politics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44870393 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 September 2018 |access-date=15 September 2018 |quote=[[Sarah Wollaston]], has joined the People's Vote campaign along with [[Phillip Lee (politician)|Phillip Lee]] and Guto Bebb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907052807/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44870393 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> co-founding the [[Right to Vote]] group in early 2019.<ref>{{Cite letter |first=Phillip |last=Lee |recipient=[[Theresa May]] |subject=Letter to the Prime Minister from Dr Phillip Lee MP |date=19 March 2019 |url=https://cdn.righttovote.co.uk/assets/righttovote-PMletter19thMarch.pdf |format=pdf |access-date=4 April 2019 |title=Archived copy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404201125/https://cdn.righttovote.co.uk/assets/righttovote-PMletter19thMarch.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Bebb's withdrawal as minister left him free to endorse a second referendum on [[Brexit]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/15/senior-tories-cabinet-urge-free-vote-second-referendum Senior Tories urge free vote on second referendum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216152147/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/15/senior-tories-cabinet-urge-free-vote-second-referendum |date=16 December 2018 }} ''[[The Observer]]''. 15 December 2018</ref>
-at the 2019 general election.
 ==Personal life==
-Bebb's native language is [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. He is the grandson of [[Ambrose Bebb]], co-founder of [[Plaid Cymru]],<ref name=autogenerated1 /> the nephew of Welsh rugby international [[Dewi Bebb]] and the first cousin of professional golfer [[Sion Bebb]]. He is married to Esyllt Bebb. The couple have five children.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
+Bebb's native language is [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. He is the grandson of [[Ambrose Bebb]], co-founder of [[Plaid Cymru]],<ref name=autogenerated1/> the nephew of Welsh rugby international [[Dewi Bebb]] and the first cousin of professional golfer [[Sion Bebb]]. He is married to Esyllt Bebb. The couple have five children.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
 ==References==
-{{reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist|30em}}
 ==External links==
+{{Commons category}}
 *[http://www.gutobebb.org.uk Guto Bebb] Official website
-*{{UK MP links | parliament = guto-bebb/3910 | hansard = | hansardcurr = <!-- 5521 --> | guardian = 8438/guto-bebb | publicwhip = Guto_Bebb | theywork = guto_bebb | record = Guto-Bebb/Aberconwy/1170 | bbc = 35317.stm | journalisted = }}
+*{{UK MP links |parliament = guto-bebb/3910 |hansard = |hansardcurr = <!-- 5521 --> |guardian = 8438/guto-bebb |publicwhip = Guto_Bebb |theywork = guto_bebb |record = Guto-Bebb/Aberconwy/1170 |bbc = 35317.stm |journalisted = }}
 {{s-start}}
@@ Line 101: / Line 103: @@
 {{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Aberconwy (UK Parliament constituency)|Aberconwy]]|years=[[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]–[[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]]}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Robin Millar (politician)|Robin Millar]]}}
+{{s-end}}{{Wales Conservative Party MPs}}{{Authority control}}
-{{s-end}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Bebb, Guto}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Bebb, Guto }}
 [[Category:1968 births]]
 [[Category:Alumni of Aberystwyth University]]

v t e Conservative Party MPs in Wales
Until 1990s	Nicholas Bennett Jonathan Evans Roger Evans Ian Grist Gwilym Jones Rod Richards Wyn Roberts Walter Sweeney
Until 2019	Guto Bebb Chris Davies
Until 2024	Sarah Atherton Simon Baynes Alun Cairns Stephen Crabb Virginia Crosbie David T. C. Davies James Davies Simon Hart David Jones Fay Jones Robin Millar Jamie Wallis Craig Williams