Really, what on earth did they think they were doing?

BBC News - Ex-ministers in 'cash for influence' row under fire:

"Labour MP Stephen Byers was recorded as saying he would work for up to £5,000 a day and was like a 'cab for hire' in the Sunday Times and Channel 4 probe.

Patricia Hewitt allegedly said she would need up to £3,000. Both MPs firmly deny any wrongdoing.

Chancellor Alistair Darling says what happened was 'ridiculous'.

...

Questioned about the newspaper's claims by the BBC's Andrew Marr, Mr Darling said:
"The best answer when you get a call like that is to put the receiver back down again. It's obvious.There are rules about serving MPs - we've said that we're going to have to, I think, get a statutory-backed code of conduct to deal with former ministers. But really, what on earth did they think they were doing?""

Just touting for business, I suppose, Alistair.
Ha ha ha. Fail.