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Calls for ability to prosecute exploitation of Whitehall contracts Calls for ability to prosecute exploitation of Whitehall contracts
(about 5 hours later)
Former ministers and civil servants who exploit their Whitehall contacts without clearance should face prosecution, the head of a lobbying watchdog has said.Former ministers and civil servants who exploit their Whitehall contacts without clearance should face prosecution, the head of a lobbying watchdog has said.
Angela Browning, the chair of the advisory committee on business appointments (Acoba), called on Tuesday for new powers that would allow the criminal pursuit of those who deliberately ignore the committee’s instructions.Angela Browning, the chair of the advisory committee on business appointments (Acoba), called on Tuesday for new powers that would allow the criminal pursuit of those who deliberately ignore the committee’s instructions.
Her intervention came after revealing that a record number of former ministers are seeking permission to take jobs in sectors they used to regulate.Her intervention came after revealing that a record number of former ministers are seeking permission to take jobs in sectors they used to regulate.
David Cameron’s government has been accused of failing to give the committee powers to stop exploitation of the “revolving door” between Whitehall and big business.David Cameron’s government has been accused of failing to give the committee powers to stop exploitation of the “revolving door” between Whitehall and big business.
More than 25 former government ministers are being paid thousands of pounds a day working as directors, advisers and chairs since leaving their posts in government.More than 25 former government ministers are being paid thousands of pounds a day working as directors, advisers and chairs since leaving their posts in government.
Appearing before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Tuesday, Lady Browning was told by several MPs that her committee was “toothless” and unable to keep ministers and civil servants in check.Appearing before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Tuesday, Lady Browning was told by several MPs that her committee was “toothless” and unable to keep ministers and civil servants in check.
She said she could only work within her remit and called for new powers to help her and the committee do their jobs.She said she could only work within her remit and called for new powers to help her and the committee do their jobs.
“At present, I can only work within the current regulations,” she said.“At present, I can only work within the current regulations,” she said.
Paul Flynn, a Labour member of the committee, raised the decision by former energy minister Ed Davey to take up five new jobs in the private sector since losing his seat at the last general election.Paul Flynn, a Labour member of the committee, raised the decision by former energy minister Ed Davey to take up five new jobs in the private sector since losing his seat at the last general election.
Flynn claimed that Davey’s negotiations to provide a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point meant he was in a prime position to exploit his knowledge.Flynn claimed that Davey’s negotiations to provide a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point meant he was in a prime position to exploit his knowledge.
“[Davey] negotiated what was described as one of the worst contracts – he gave us the most expensive electricity in the world; three times the going rate,” said Flynn.“[Davey] negotiated what was described as one of the worst contracts – he gave us the most expensive electricity in the world; three times the going rate,” said Flynn.
“He’s now lost his seat in the house, formed a consultancy and he does deal with four companies who stand to benefit from this crazy contract that he settled as a minister. “He’s now lost his seat in the house, formed a consultancy and he does deals with four companies that stand to benefit from this crazy contract that he settled as a minister.
“Isn’t there are suspicion that his decision to sign this generous contract, which was very much against the public interest, might have been influenced by his future prospects of earning money when he left the house from these four businesses?’ “Isn’t there a suspicion that his decision to sign this generous contract, which was very much against the public interest, might have been influenced by his future prospects of earning money when he left the house from these four businesses?’
Browning said her committee was conscious of the problem and had sought assurances from Davey that he would not work on the the Hinckley Point contract at all. Browning said her committee was conscious of the problem and had sought assurances from Davey that he would not work on the Hinkley Point contract at all.
Browning said: ‘If he does that is a real problem because I do not have any powers to bring them to court.’ Browning said: ‘If he does, that is a real problem because I do not have any powers to bring them to court.’
Asked whether she would like such powers, she added: “Yes I would.” Asked whether she would like such powers, she said: “Yes I would.”
Responding to Browning’s calls, Davey told the Guardian that he would welcome any decision to give additional legal powers to Acoba.Responding to Browning’s calls, Davey told the Guardian that he would welcome any decision to give additional legal powers to Acoba.
However, he said it was ridiculous to claim that might have he set out to exploit his contacts in Whitehall, as Flynn claimed.However, he said it was ridiculous to claim that might have he set out to exploit his contacts in Whitehall, as Flynn claimed.
“Paul Flynn is, not for the first time, making deeply misleading claims about me and the contract I negotiated, which is much better than he claims,” Davey said. “I was very disappointed to lose my seat which I fought to win.”“Paul Flynn is, not for the first time, making deeply misleading claims about me and the contract I negotiated, which is much better than he claims,” Davey said. “I was very disappointed to lose my seat which I fought to win.”
The committee questioned Browning over her own credentials to oversee former ministers outside interests. Browning told the committee that she is able to earn up to £800 a day as a consultant to the private sector, but said she only worked two days last year. She also confirmed that all other members of Acoba have outside interests. The committee questioned Browning over her own credentials to oversee former ministers’ outside interests. Browning told the committee that she is able to earn up to £800 a day as a consultant to the private sector, but said she only worked two days last year. She also confirmed that all other members of Acoba have outside interests.