CAROLINE Lucas is following advice not to discuss an investigation into her activities – despite vehemently arguing for transparency.

The Brighton Pavilion MP is being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for an alleged breach of House of Commons rules.

Ms Lucas offered tours of Parliament in exchange for money during her 2019 General Election campaign.

After protesting her innocence to The Argus, she said: “I have been advised the commissioner’s investigations are confidential so it would not be appropriate for me to say anything more at this time.”

But in a Commons debate on whether the identity of MPs under investigation should become confidential, Ms Lucas said “rolling back transparency is deeply, deeply worrying”.

“What is at stake is the issue of whether consistency is more important than transparency,” she said in the July 2018 debate.

“To my mind, transparency is more important in this instance.

“I think the optics of this house rolling back transparency is deeply, deeply worrying.”

At the debate, MPs voted to make the identities of those under investigation confidential.

Ms Lucas voted against the motion.

“I do share the sneaking suspicion that there are perhaps other forces at play that are leading us in this direction,” she said at the time.

“I have no evidence of that either, but it feels like that is the more likely explanation for why we find ourselves in this difficult position.”

A spokeswoman for the Green MP said she was unable to comment as the Commissioner for Standards ruled the investigation was confidential.

The news comes after The Argus revealed Ms Lucas is under investigation for offering tours of Parliament in exchange for money.

The alleged breach relates to a 2019 campaign fundraiser called “Put Caroline Lucas back in Parliament alongside more Green MPs”.

Those who donated money to the fundraiser were eligible for a number of “perks”.

People who paid £150 were eligible for a “personal guided tour of House of Commons” for 30 minutes.

Hove resident Stuart Bower, 69, posted a written complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards about the fundraiser.

“How can it be right for an MP to boost their income by charging a fee?” he argued

Tours around the houses from a “knowledgeable guide” can be bought for £26.50.

But people can book a free guided tour by contacting their MP.

The Code of Conduct and related rules of the House state: “Members must not offer tours of the House or of the Elizabeth Tower or Big Ben in raffles or auctions.