CBI settles legal action with ex-chief Tony Danker – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2024 in complaints, lobbying, news, professional conduct, unfair dismissal by tracey

‘One of the UK’s most prominent business lobby groups, the Confederation of British Industry, has settled a legal dispute with its former leader, Tony Danker.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 5th February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tory peer cleared for second time of breaking lobbying rules over PPE contracts – The Guardian

Posted September 28th, 2023 in contracts, coronavirus, lobbying, news, parliament, standards by tracey

‘A Conservative peer has been cleared of breaking lobbying rules for a second time by the House of Lords watchdog over introducing a company that was awarded government PPE contracts worth £50m.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Watchdog opens fresh inquiry into Tory peer over possible PPE lobbying breach – The Guardian

Posted August 4th, 2023 in conflict of interest, coronavirus, inquiries, lobbying, news, parliament by tracey

‘The House of Lords conduct watchdog has opened an investigation into the Conservative peer Lord Chadlington after new details about his introduction of a firm that was awarded £50m in PPE contracts were reported by the Guardian.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rd August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bring in new lobbying rules for ex-ministers by autumn, says watchdog – The Guardian

Posted July 27th, 2023 in civil servants, fines, lobbying, ministers' powers and duties, news by sally

‘No 10 should bring in new fines for ex-ministers who break the rules on lobbying in time for Rishi Sunak’s next reshuffle and tighten restrictions on former civil servants, the government watchdog has said.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lobbying rules to be tightened in long-awaited response to Greensill scandal – The Guardian

Posted July 21st, 2023 in disclosure, government departments, lobbying, news, parliament by tracey

‘Lobbying rules will be toughened up across Whitehall in a long-awaited response by ministers to issues raised by the Greensill scandal, the Guardian has learned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs criticise UK gambling regulator for trying to reduce addiction – The Guardian

Posted January 24th, 2022 in gambling, lobbying, news, ombudsmen, parliament, regulations by tracey

‘A committee of MPs has produced a report criticising the gambling industry regulator for trying to reduce addiction and urging ministers to take it into special measures.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 23rd January 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stricter curbs on MPs’ second jobs to be backed by standards watchdog, piling pressure on Boris Johnson – The Independent

‘Stricter curbs on MPs taking second jobs will be proposed by a Commons watchdog, piling pressure on Boris Johnson to act and putting him on a fresh collision course with his own MPs.’

Full Story

The Independent, 29th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jeremy Heywood’s widow questions Greensill inquiry chief’s independence – The Guardian

‘The widow of the man who was the UK’s top civil servant during the early years of the Greensill lobbying scandal has raised concerns over the independence of the official appointed by Boris Johnson to run an inquiry into the affair.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 1st July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New inquiry to be launched into civil servants taking second jobs – The Guardian

‘A new inquiry will be launched into civil servants taking second jobs, likely leading to officials facing tougher scrutiny after the Greensill scandal, the Guardian has learned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 25th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Demands for ‘urgent’ reform after watchdog finds ‘no boundaries’ for civil servants in private jobs – The Independent

‘The head of a Whitehall watchdog has called for “urgent” reform of the system for vetting private sector appointments for senior civil servants and ministers, warning that “there doesn’t seem to have been any boundaries at all” for an adviser who moved straight from the heart of government to the failed finance company Greensill.’

Full Story

The Independent, 16th April 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Tory MP told to apologise after being found guilty of breaching lobbying rules – The Independent

Posted September 17th, 2020 in lobbying, news, parliament, standards by michael

‘A Conservative MP has been told to make an apology in the House of Commons after being found guilty of breaching lobbying rules in relation to a company which gave him £10,000.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th September 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK charities call for end to ‘gagging law’ in run-up to elections – The Guardian

Posted November 20th, 2019 in charities, elections, lobbying, news by sally

‘Leading charities are calling on the next government to lift the legal gag that prevents them from campaigning for the poor and marginalised in society.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

LSB rules “could stop Law Society from criticising SRA” – Legal Futures

‘The Law Society has said it is “deeply concerned” that new rules proposed by the Legal Services Board (LSB) could largely prevent it from either lobbying or criticising the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 24th January 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

TaxPayers’ Alliance concedes it launched smears against Brexit whistleblower – The Guardian

‘The rightwing pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance has conceded that it illegally sacked the whistleblower Shahmir Sanni for revealing unlawful overspending in the Brexit referendum campaign, in a case that could have a major impact on how lobbyists are described in the media.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th November 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Did Vote Leave commit a crime over its funding? Democracy demands to know – The Guardian

Posted November 22nd, 2017 in judicial review, lobbying, news, referendums by sally

‘The Electoral Commission must urgently and robustly investigate the question of whether or not the ‘will of the people’ was bought.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lobbying Act ‘stifling environment debate’ in election campaign – The Guardian

Posted June 2nd, 2017 in elections, environmental protection, lobbying, news by sally

‘Debate on environmental issues has been stifled in the run-up the general election leaving voters in the dark , opposition parties have claimed, as a result of the Lobbying Act and government determination to avoid criticism over problems such as air pollution.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 1st June 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charities may face criminal sanctions as ‘gagging law’ backdated before election – The Guardian

Posted May 22nd, 2017 in charities, elections, legislation, lobbying, news, retrospectivity, sanctions by tracey

‘UK charities face a permanent “chilling effect” on their campaigns after the Electoral Commission said they must declare any work that could be deemed political over the past 12 months to ensure they are not in breach of the Lobbying Act.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st May 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministers back down on rule ‘gagging’ scientists – The Guardian

Posted April 20th, 2016 in freedom of expression, government departments, lobbying, news by sally

‘Ministers have exempted thousands of scientists from a controversial “gagging clause” that would have prevented the academics from trying to influence government on public policy matters.’

Full story

The Guardian, 19th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Revealed: the loophole that lets lobbying companies keep their clients a secret – The Independent

Posted April 11th, 2016 in disclosure, lobbying, news, parliament by tracey

‘Lobbying companies working at the heart of Whitehall are exploiting loopholes in transparency legislation that allows them to avoid declaring clients who pay them thousands of pounds to help influence Government policy, The Independent can reveal.’

Full story

The Independent, 10th April 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jargon-buster: Do you know your PCF from BRF, and your BSB from your Bar Council – The Bar Council

Posted February 22nd, 2016 in barristers, fees, legal profession, licensing, lobbying, news, pro bono work by sally

‘Every year, throughout February and March, Bar Council members have to take part in the Authorisation to Practice process, which involves renewing your practising certificate, updating your professional information and paying your Practising Certificate Fee and Bar Representation Fee.’

Full story

The Bar Council, 19th February 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk