David Cameron faces investigation into possible lobbying law breach

Lobbying registrar to look at ex-prime minister’s work on behalf of Greensill Capital, according to reports

A formal investigation has been launched into whether David Cameron breached lobbying laws through his work on behalf of Greensill Capital.

However, the Guardian understands the former prime minister will say he was acting as an employee for the firm. According to guidance by the register of consultant lobbyists, people who lobby on behalf of their own organisation do not need to declare themselves on the register.

Cameron has come under growing pressure to explain himself amid allegations that he contacted the chancellor, Rishi Sunak on his private phone last April while working as an adviser for Greensill.

At the time the firm, which collapsed earlier this month, was trying to secure access to hundreds of thousands of pounds of emergency Covid loans.

Granting Greensill access to the 100% government-backed Covid corporate financing facility (CCFF) would have meant bending the rules, since lenders are not meant to borrow money through the programme.

The registrar in charge of enforcing lobbying laws, has now launched a formal investigation into Cameron’s alleged lobbying efforts.

A spokesperson for the registrar said on Thursday: “Following media reports, the registrar of consultant lobbyists is investigating whether Mr David Cameron has engaged in unregistered consultant lobbying. The registrar will not comment on this further while the investigation is ongoing.”

UK rules require people who directly lobby ministers or senior officials on behalf of a third party to declare their efforts on an official government register for lobbyists. Breaching those rules can result in fines of up to £7,500 and in severe cases even criminal charges.

However, Cameron is expected to say he was a Greensill employee at the time, rather than a consultant.

Greensill administrators at Grant Thornton declined to comment. Rich’s office was not immediately available for comment.

Contributor

Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Greensill lobbying leaves your reputation in tatters, Cameron told
MPs grill former prime minister for four hours about his text message and WhatsApp campaign

Rupert Neate

13, May, 2021 @6:17 PM

Article image
MPs urge Cameron to make public Greensill lobbying texts to Sunak
Former prime minister told to release full texts he sent to chancellor at start of the pandemic last year

Kalyeena Makortoff

20, Apr, 2021 @1:04 PM

Article image
Greensill: the scale of David Cameron’s lobbying texts revealed
Some of the messages sent by the former PM and his staff to Gove, Sunak and other top officials

Rupert Neate

11, May, 2021 @5:10 PM

Article image
David Cameron breaks 30-day silence over lobbying for Greensill
Ex-PM says he acted within rules but admits there are ‘important lessons’ to be learned

Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

11, Apr, 2021 @5:46 PM

Article image
David Cameron lobbied Lloyds director to save Greensill pharmacy deal
Bank continued funding supply-chain finance scheme for NHS pharmacies after appeal to Tory peer

Rupert Neate

24, Nov, 2021 @11:43 AM

Article image
How David Cameron got caught up in a classic lobbying scandal
The Greensill Capital affair is the exact type of lobbying row that the ex-PM warned about and vowed to eradicate

Rupert Neate Wealth correspondent

31, Mar, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
David Cameron texted Rishi Sunak to get Covid loans for Greensill, says report
Former prime minister said to have sent multiple messages to chancellor to access funds for doomed lender

Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent

21, Mar, 2021 @6:47 PM

Article image
David Cameron kept pushing Bank and Treasury to risk £20bn to help Greensill
Former prime minister sent string of emails to Bank officials and argued firm should be a priority for Treasury funding

Kalyeena Makortoff, Rajeev Syal and Jessica Elgot

22, Apr, 2021 @8:02 PM

Article image
David Cameron showed ‘significant lack of judgment’ on Greensill, inquiry finds
Commons finds ex-PM did not break lobbying rules by bombarding ministers with messages – but only because rules are too weak

Rupert Neate

19, Jul, 2021 @11:01 PM

Article image
David Cameron faces unprecedented formal inquiry into Greensill scandal
Boris Johnson orders independent investigation into former prime minister’s lobbying on behalf of collapsed finance firm

Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

12, Apr, 2021 @7:56 PM