How long has blackmail been part of parliamentary process? Gov't using 'Dirt Book' to secure votes from MPs

This is a VERY interesting letter to Cameron from Conservative MP Mark Reckless. What leapt out at me was comment on the fact that the whips have used illegal blackmailing methods and very undemocratic “influence” on vote outcomes in parliament, to “secure government business” using “dirt book” records, presumably. The letter strongly implies that Cameron is well aware of this. What “personal information” have the whips got, and on which MPs?

How long have the whips been wielding power with that “personal information” to influence outcomes in parliament, bypassing democratic process? This looks like a long-standing crock of corruption that Cameron has used to his own advantage. How long has blackmail been an integral part of parliamentary process?

And see the comments about the shredding of documents: Mark Reckless asked the PM if taxpayer money should pay whips to gather information, then shred it. The PM “invited him to be less Delphic…”

Mark also states: “The whip admitted government whips decided in December 1996 to shred documents. Who ultimately authorised this Chief Whip Alastair Goodlad or John Major? Why?

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