Equalities watchdog chairman Trevor Phillips tried to influence a parliamentary inquiry into his work and should face a "contempt" inquiry, a committee of MPs and peers said.
The Joint Committee on Human Rights said the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had spoken to at least three of its members while their report was being finalised.
"In our view these discussions could constitute a contempt of both Houses in that they may be an attempt to influence the views of certain members of the committee shortly before it considered a draft report directly relevant to Mr Phillips in his role as chair of the EHRC," it said.
"We recommend that the matter should be subject to investigation by the Privileges Committees of both Houses."
In a short report, the committee, chaired by Labour MP Andrew Dismore, said the contact had been reported when it met on Tuesday to discuss its draft report on the EHRC.
"It emerged at the start of the meeting that Trevor Phillips...had recently spoken to at least three members of the committee about the committee's consideration of the draft report and the publication of written evidence with the report," it said.
An EHRC spokesman confirmed that Mr Phillips had been in contact with committee members but insisted that: "Neither Mr Phillips nor the Commission is aware of any reason why any of his actions might amount to contempt of the Houses of Parliament.
"Should the Parliamentary authorities decide to take this matter further both Mr Phillips and the Commission would be happy to co-operate fully."
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