Watford MP Dean Russell says that his ‘second job’ has not interfered with him working consistently “seven days a week” to represent his constituents.

The debate whether MPs should be able to work second jobs has resurfaced following recent media coverage on MPs who receive additional salaries on top of their parliamentary duties – with particular focus on Sir Geoffrey Cox who has earned more than £500,000 since October 2020.

MPs are allowed to work a second job, as long as it does not impact their duties and MPs do not use their parliamentary power to benefit external businesses for which they work.

MPs must also publicly declare any additional income, along with gifts, donations and shareholdings over 15 per cent.

More than 200 MPs made money on top of their MP salary doing additional work last year, including Mr Russell.

Sir Geoffrey Cox has been under fire for his high-salary second job (Photo: PA)

Sir Geoffrey Cox has been under fire for his high-salary second job (Photo: PA)

However Mr Russell’s additional earnings are considerably less than some other MPs.

In fact Mr Russell has received over £2,000 this year as a consultant for a business training company.

In comparison there are some MPs with significantly higher earnings from their second jobs as a consultant, including Andrew Mitchell who has registered more than £180,000 for 34.5 days’ work.

Mr Russell said: “Prior to becoming an MP I created a consultancy service, which was primarily myself working with clients, to deliver training and strategy on pitching and presenting.

“I have been completely transparent on my register of interests that I continued to provide just a few hours of support - on average just 2-3 hours a month - or that business and to deliver some business school lectures.”

Dean Russell works seven days a week to serve Watford

Dean Russell works "seven days a week" to serve Watford

The MP added that none of his activity involves any lobbying or political activity, and it has not taken his focus away from serving Watford as an MP.

He explained that he works “seven days a week” to support constituents in Watford and that he has assisted thousands of constituents with various matters.

“As an MP I have not claimed a single penny of personal expenses and I have followed the rules on registers of interest completely. As such, the reports on these activities were already in the public domain and I have been open about this throughout my time as MP,” Mr Russell concluded.

The Watford MP was also asked whether he believed MPs should be allowed to work a second jobs, particularly those with extreme additional revenue, but the question was not answered.

Most of MPs are not consultants and some of the highest earners in the House of Commons are lawyers – while others work as doctors and nurses.