IF you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

I never expected that my last few weeks as Blackburn’s MP would be spent in the midst of a media firestorm.

But that’s my problem. All my careful checking about the “Hong Kong consultancy” which came to see me was not enough to overcome a skilfully-laid trap.

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I fell into it. I have always acted with probity in the conduct of my public life, and I referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to clear my name.

To those many people, especially in East Lancashire, who have voiced their support for me, I offer the deepest thanks. To those who have taken the opposite view, and have been critical, I say that I can’t kick myself more than I already am.

I’m lucky that I have a very high capacity for work. It’s why, when I was holding down very onerous ministerial jobs, I was still able to ensure that my responsibilities to my constituents came first.

After 30 years on the front bench, I’ve spent the last five on the backbenches. It’s given me even more time to devote to constituency issues, and to transform concerns raised locally into national campaigns - for example, against the whiplash scams which have led to excessive car insurance premiums.

In my spare time, I have taken on a consultancy for a major British commodities supplier. I wrote my memoirs, articles and have taken up speaking engagements, typically being offered around £5.000 an event (as I told the undercover reporters).

These are large sums – more than I ever dreamt I’d earn in life. Every penny I have received from outside work has been declared on the public register.

On my soap-box in town I have often spoken about why earnings like mine should attract 50 per cent tax.

The Channel 4 sting has reignited the debate about whether MPs should take on any outside work at all. I’m not sure an intervention from me into this debate right now would be helpful. I’ve abided strictly by the current rules, last changed in 2010.

The irony of the Channel 4 sting, however, is that it was only to do with what work I might undertake when I’d finished as an MP – a very different matter. After May 7 I’d been looking at a combination of voluntary and paid work, which I’d take if I thought it could engage my brain, use whatever skills I have and, all the better, if it happened to be local.

My commitment to East Lancashire remains as strong as ever. And, despite this squall, I shall stick to my plans.