Whitehall’s top mandarin is to face a grilling from MPs about the lobbying row that has engulfed the Government, it was revealed today as it emerged he is also investigating a pricey makeover of Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will face the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Monday to face questions … Read more
Archbishop of Canterbury urges public to show ‘forgiveness and compassion’ to politicians – and says standards are much higher in Westminster than they used to be Justin Welby agreed it was wrong to ‘help out chums or lobby inappropriately’ But insisted moral standards are higher in Westminster than they used to be Comes as series … Read more
Former Conservative minister who worked for PPE firm without permission is rebuked for taking on roles without approval George Freeman broke government rules when he was paid £5,000 as a consultant to Aerosol Shield without seeking permission He has admitted to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) that he failed to seek advice for … Read more
The lobbying scandal dramatically deepened yesterday as it emerged that David Cameron repeatedly contacted one of the most senior figures in the Bank of England on behalf of Greensill Capital. The former prime minister also texted the Treasury’s top civil servant as part of a ‘persistent’ campaign by the finance firm, for which he was … Read more
The Treasury’s top civil servant today revealed that David Cameron called and texted him on behalf of Greensill at the height of the pandemic – as the Bank of England also disclosed records of approached for the ex-PM. Sir Tom Scholar said Mr Cameron contacted him repeatedly in March and April last year as the … Read more
The Treasury’s top civil servant today revealed that David Cameron called and texted him on behalf of Greensill at the height of the pandemic. Sir Tom Scholar said the former PM contacted him repeatedly in March and April last year as the financial firm pushed to be part of a government loan scheme. Giving evidence … Read more
David Cameron, his financier boss Lex Greensill and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be grilled by MPs over the lobbying scandal, it was confirmed last night. The Treasury Committee said it will ask all three to appear in person during its inquiry into the Government’s dealings with failed finance firm Greensill Capital. Chairman Mel Stride said … Read more
Boris Johnson defended senior Civil Service figures amid a growing Government lobbying scandal today, insisting they were not all ‘double-hatting’ with lucrative second jobs. The Prime Minister said it was ‘simply not the case’ that ‘loads of people’ were gaming the system to earn eye-watering amounts while on the Government payroll in a potential conflict … Read more
Boris Johnson is facing Tory calls for ‘meaningful change’ as the lobbying storm threatens to derail the elections battle. The Conservative chair of a cross-party committee investigating the issue has warned that ‘something must be done’ after a slew of revelations about links between politics and business. Cabinet minister George Eustice insisted yesterday that only … Read more
A cabinet minister defended embattled David Cameron yesterday as details emerged of how the former prime minister had lobbied the NHS for staff data on behalf of Greensill Capital. Mr Cameron’s one-time press secretary George Eustice said his old boss had not broken any rules in his work for the controversial finance firm and said … Read more