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Gordon Brown calls for tougher lobbying rules in wake of David Cameron-Greensill row
Downing Street has announced an investigation into David Cameron‘s lobbying of ministers while working for the collapsed financial firm Greensill capital.
The former prime minister had contact with chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Matt Hancock but has accepted he should have communicated with the government “through only the most formal of channels”.
There is no suggestion Mr Cameron broke any rules while lobbying for the firm, although he has faced heavy criticism for allegedly giving Lex Greensill, the firm’s boss, far-reaching access to his government.
Elsewhere, talks are underway aimed at resolving problems related to the Northern Ireland protocol after disorder and violence blighted the region throughout much of the last week.
UK and EU officials are said to be examining how issues related to the post-Brexit agreement, which has drawn a de facto border down the Irish sea, can be addressed, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE reported.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal with the EU has put the future of many exporting businesses at risk, with 41 per cent reporting decreased overseas sales in the first three months of the new arrangements, according to a new survey by one of the UK’s leading business organisations.
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Who will lead lobbying probe?
Downing Street announced that lawyer Nigel Boardman is due to lead the probe into the lobbying activity of the former prime minister, David Cameron.
Mr Boardman is a non-executive board member of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who has previously conducted a review of Cabinet Office procurement processes.
He is also a vice president of Save the Children UK, a deputy chairman of the British Museum and serves in an ambassadorial role as chair of the multinational law firm Slaughter and May’s Africa practice.
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 14:45
Too early for Prince Philip memorial decision, says No 10
Downing Street said it was too early to consider proposals for a lasting memorial to the Duke of Edinburgh’s life.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said “we will want to look carefully at all the proposals that have been set out” but “it’s not right, while we are in this period of mourning” while the focus was on funeral preparations to consider a memorial.
“There will be a time to rightly consider longer-term tributes,” the spokesman said.
Ideas which have been suggested include renaming the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, where the duke first met the Queen.
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 14:12
Cameron must appear before parliament to address Greensill lobbying scandal, Labour says
David Cameron must appear before MPs in parliament to address questions about his lobbying activities for Greensill Capital, Labour has said.
Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rachel Reeves said Downing Street’s investigation risked “kicking bad behaviour into the long grass”.
She said: “Just as with the inquiry into Priti Patel’s alleged bullying, this is another Conservative Government attempt to push bad behaviour into the long grass and hope the British public forgets. The Conservatives can’t be trusted to yet again mark their own homework.”
Ms Reeves added: “We need answers on Greensill now – that means key players in this cronyism scandal like David Cameron, Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock appearing openly in front of Parliament as soon as possible to answer questions.”
Matt Mathers12 April 2021 13:52
Protocol talks ‘constructive’ but issues remain, No 10 says
UK-EU talks aimed at resolving Brexit’s Northern Ireland protocol are “constructive” but “significant differences remain”, No 10 has said.
The prime minister’s spokesman told reporters on Monday there were a number of issues that still “need to be resolved”.
Lord Frost, Britain’s lead on Brexit, had spoken to European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic on Friday.
Matt Mathers12 April 2021 13:41
No 10 orders investigation into David Cameron’s lobbying of ministers
Our deputy politics editor, Rob Merrick and Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin, have more details on this developing story:
Matt Mathers12 April 2021 13:35
Lords will be paid £162 ‘attendance allowance’ for making video call tributes to Prince Philip
Peers in the House of Lords will be able to claim a £162 “attendance allowance” if they make a remote tribute to Prince Philip over video call, parliamentary authorities have confirmed.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more on this story:
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 13:31
Probe will examine Cameron’s contacts with ‘ministers, officials and SpAds’
Downing Street’s probe into Mr Cameron’s lobbying activities will examine the former PM’s contacts with ministers, officials and SpAds (special advisers) Sky News’s Darren McCaffrey reports:
Matt Mathers12 April 2021 13:21
Government to announce investigation into Cameron lobbying – report
The government is expected to launch an investigation into lobbying efforts by David Cameron, the BBC has reported.
It comes a day after the former prime minister responded to allegations relating to his work with failed finance firm Greensill, insisting he broke no rules but admitting he should have communicated with the government “through only the most formal of channels”.
We will bring you more on this as we get it.
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 12:32
Stormont pledges to pay for Troubles pensions, court told
Stormont’s Executive Office has pledged to pay for a Troubles pension scheme, a court has been told.
The declaration concludes a lengthy legal battle over who should cover the £1.2bn cost.
In a letter to Belfast High Court, the Department of Finance said the payments will be made.
The guarantee will allow thousands of victims who suffered physical or mental trauma to apply for up to £10,000 a year.
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 12:14
Labour MP calls on government to maintain foreign aid funding for sexual health
Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi has called on the government to maintain foreign aid budget funding for sexual and reproductive health to guard against the negative impacts of the pandemic.
The shadow international development minsiter said the coronavirus outbreak had disrupted contraceptive use for 12 million women and had caused one-and-a-half million unintended pregnancies.
“As part of my role in the @LabourDfID team, I have called on the government to maintain the same levels of funding for 2021-22 to support these women,” she tweeted.
Tom Batchelor12 April 2021 11:53
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