Babak Belurs

Rabu, 14 April 2021

Greensill: Labour's call to widen lobbying probe rejected by No 10 - BBC News

The government has rejected Labour's call for a full parliamentary inquiry into lobbying and the contacts between government and Greensill Capital.

Boris Johnson has launched a review by a government lawyer into the finance firm's links to David Cameron and top civil servants in his administration.

Labour wants a broader inquiry into lobbying by a cross-party panel of MPs.

The government says its review is the "right thing to do" and will order Tory MPs to vote against Labour's plan.

Labour says the government "cannot be trusted to mark their own homework on this" and accused the prime minister of "whipping his MPs to vote to cover up Conservative cronyism".

Instead it wants a new Parliamentary committee to investigate lobbying, with the power to question witnesses, such as Mr Cameron, in public.

The party will attempt to set up such a committee by forcing a Commons vote on Wednesday afternoon, but the government says it will vote against the motion, making it unlikely to pass.

Calls to examine lobbying have intensified in the past week as more details emerge of ex-prime minister David Cameron's efforts on behalf of the now-collapsed finance firm Greensill Capital.

In a new development on Tuesday, a lobbying watchdog revealed that a top civil servant had joined the company as part-time adviser while still working for the government.

The Office of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments said the Cabinet Office had "agreed" to Bill Crothers taking on the role but its chairman Lord Pickles complained of a "lack of transparency" over the situation.

Mr Crothers insisted the process had been "transparent".

'Truly extraordinary'

Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said: "It is truly extraordinary that a serving civil servant could at the same time be paid to work for a private sector firm that has a clear interest in government business,"

"So if this was allowed under government rules the current rules need to be change and if there was a breaking of the rules then we need to get to the bottom of this.

"We need a proper inquiry to get to the bottom of this, not the half-hearted part-inquiry that the government have announced so far."

But ex-Conservative minister Tobias Ellwood dismissed Labour's call as "political opportunism".

He urged MPs not to "jump on this bandwagon" but instead wait for the government-ordered review to be completed.

Analysis box by Laura Kuenssberg, political editor

The widespread unease about this story is growing rather than fading away.

For people critical of the way these things are handled, the news about Bill Crothers is another piece of damning evidence that the rules aren't tight enough.

The tentacles of this mess are pulling in more and more political characters - and there's a hunt for other senior officials who had similar arrangements.

Labour see this as real ammunition in a broader political attack on the Conservatives that they are trying to build - whether that is PPE contacts that went to people with links to the Tory Party; contacts between Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and a property developer and even who paid the bills for Boris Johnson's wallpaper.

It is something that can be very toxic for the government, and that is why senior Conservatives will privately tell you that they are worried.

There is also a wider consensus that the systems meant to guard against all of this are not strong enough.

Concerns over lobbying have grown following the news that Mr Cameron - who had a financial interest in Greensill - tried unsuccessfully to persuade the government to increase the firm's access to government-backed loans.

Mr Cameron has insisted he did not break any codes of conduct or rules on lobbying, although he has acknowledged in a statement he should have communicated with the government "through only the most formal of channels".

He said he welcomed the government's inquiry, to be run by lawyer Nigel Boardman.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Mr Boardman would be given the "maximum possible access" to establish the facts and a Cabinet Office spokesman said the review would be "wide-ranging".

It has now been expanded beyond its initial remit to consider the new details about Mr Crothers's work for Greensill.

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2021-04-14 08:25:35Z
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Selasa, 13 April 2021

Prince Philip: The Queen has returned to royal duties after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh - Sky News

The Queen has returned to royal duties four days after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The monarch held her first in-person event since Prince Philip's death, hosting an audience with the Earl Peel as he formally stood down as Lord Chamberlain on Tuesday.

Prince Andrew said at the weekend that the family "are rallying round to make sure that we're there to support her".

The monarchy and the royal households are observing two weeks of mourning but members of the family will continue "to undertake engagements appropriate to the circumstances", a royal official said.

Watch and follow live coverage of Prince Philip's funeral service on Sky News from 2pm on Saturday

Earl Peel had overseen arrangements for the duke's funeral - known as Operation Forth Bridge - before handing responsibility to his successor a week before Philip's death.

During Tuesday's ceremony at Windsor, the Queen accepted his insignia of office and wand.

The event was recorded in the Court Circular - a list of the events attended by the monarch and the royals.

Former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker is the new Lord Chamberlain and will be in overall charge of Saturday's funeral, which takes place in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Coronavirus measures mean only 30 people will be allowed to attend. Around 800 people were set to be invited as part of planning that took place before the pandemic.

There is no confirmation yet on who will be invited, but Prince Harry is set to be there after flying in from America and immediately going into quarantine.

Under the funeral plans, the duke's coffin will be carried to the chapel on a specially modified Land Rover, which he helped to design.

The Prince of Wales and members of the Royal Family will take part in the procession on foot, immediately behind the duke's coffin, together with staff from Philip's household.

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2021-04-13 21:20:52Z
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Covid lockdown eases: England 'buzzing' after first night out in 97 days - BBC News

"Exciting", "slightly scary" and "an absolute riot" were some of the verdicts from drinkers enjoying their first night out in months as England reopened outdoor hospitality.

In London's Soho, locals welcomed seeing the West End "buzzing again" with life.

The streets were packed, with roads closed to give more space for al fresco drinking and dining.

In Newcastle, people said it was "worth it" to brave freezing pub terraces.

Outdoor drinking and dining resumed on Monday for the first time since England's lockdown began on 5 January - although for millions of people who lived under tier 4 restrictions in December, the wait had been even longer.

Shops, hairdressers, gyms and zoos were among the other businesses reopening in England, while Northern Ireland's "stay-at-home" order was lifted and some rules were eased in Scotland and Wales.

Despite flurries of snow in parts of the country, people flocked to pubs and restaurants to celebrate the return of some of their freedoms.

"It's full everywhere, It feels like a celebration, basically," one drinker told the BBC.

"Honestly it feels so good, it feels like we're out of prison. We're celebrating a birthday, so it's the best gift, I guess," said another.

A woman, who has lived in Soho for 15 years, said it was "amazing, it's lovely just to see people out, to have life around us, I've missed it so much".

"Just to see it buzzing again is beautiful and to see all the local businesses come alive again, it's great," she said.

Attila Kulcsar, a media communications manager, said the atmosphere was "like a return to the 'real' Soho of the 1990s" - or alternatively "like how I imagine VE Day", referring to the scenes of jubilation at the end of World War Two.

"There is a wonderfully raucous hysteria everywhere. It's very celebratory. There is very little social distancing. A distinct sense that people feel the Covid restrictions have ended," he said.

Police and Covid marshalls were present, he said, but they were not intervening to try to enforce social distancing.

A girls' night out in Soho as lockdown restrictions are eased

Customers enjoy drinks outside the bars in the Northern Quarter of central Manchester

Westminster Council said it was aware of "isolated incidents of crowding" but said it had been working with businesses to help them operate safely, including having Covid marshalls offering support with social distancing.

Some described a few anxious moments at the prospect of crowded places for the first time in months. "But as soon as you sit down to have a beer, it's an absolute riot," said one man. "It's quite overwhelming, but in a good way," added his companion.

Many people said they welcomed the crowds and were not concerned about the risk of Covid spreading. Some said they had already been vaccinated, while one group said they had taken rapid lateral flow tests beforehand as a precaution and that being outside reduced the risk of infection.

Professor Adam Finn, a paediatrician on the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation, said people should continue to practise social distancing despite the success of the vaccine programme.

Asked on BBC Breakfast whether he would go to a beer garden in the current circumstances, he said: "If I did, I would certainly avoid close contact with other people.

"The risks of transmission outside are relatively low, but not if you start coming into very close contact with people. It's not like it's all over, we can all go back to normal."

People drink and eat outside in Soho in London

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had urged people to "continue to behave responsibly" as the restrictions were eased.

Prof Lawrence Young, a virologist and medical oncologist, said the drop in infections in the UK was not only due to the progress in vaccinations, but also because of lockdown restrictions.

That meant it was important to remain cautious, even on a "joyous day" like this, he said.

"We can't ignore what's going on in the rest of the world - every other day new variants are being reported and infection is rife," he said.

In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, some revellers shrugged off the "Arctic" temperatures. "To be honest, it's quite nice, it's quite cosy," said one man sitting in a sheltered terrace. "We're from the north so we're used to it."

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A group of women said they had layered up to brave the elements. "It was really snowing earlier. But I think it's worth it," one said.

Robby Scott, managing director of Babucho, an Italian restaurant and bar, said: "It just sums up 2020 and 2021 that we finally get to open our doors for outdoor dining and we get an Arctic storm. But I don't think people would care at the moment."

But some business owners warned that they cannot survive on the takings from outdoor hospitality alone.

Jeremy Joseph, owner of G-A-Y in Soho, said the reopening was "bittersweet" as even with the streets crowded, they could only operate at just over 10% of their usual indoor capacity.

"It's not making money, all we are doing is reducing our losses," he told the BBC.

He said the nightclub had lost about £1.3m in the pandemic and bills were "continually coming in".

"Outside hospitality is not going to cover it," he said, adding that the recovery would begin for him on 17 May, when indoor hospitality is expected to resume.

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2021-04-13 08:59:41Z
52781511334493

Senin, 12 April 2021

Prince Philip: William pays tribute to 'extraordinary' Duke of Edinburgh - Sky News

Prince William has said he will "support The Queen in the years ahead" in a tribute to his late grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Describing Prince Philip as "an extraordinary man", William said he will "miss my Grandpa".

In a statement, he said: "My grandfather's century of life was defined by service - to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.

"I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life - both through good times and the hardest days.

"I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her.

"I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!

"My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation.

"Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead.

"I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job."

Watch live coverage of Prince Philip's ceremonial funeral service on Sky News, the website and app from 2pm on Saturday

Kensington Palace shared a photograph of a young Prince George with his great-grandfather alongside the message from William.

George, a future king, is pictured sat beside the duke on the box seat of a carriage, as Philip holds the reins and a whip.

The image was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk in 2015.

Prince Harry released his own statement shortly after William in which he called the Duke of Edinburgh "a legend of banter".

He added that he and Meghan "will always hold a special place for you in our hearts".

It comes a day after members of the Royal Family gathered at a Windsor church service, with Prince Andrew saying that his father was a "remarkable man" and that relatives were "rallying round" the Queen.

He revealed that the Queen had described the Duke of Edinburgh's death "as having left a huge void in her life".

Prince Edward's wife, the Countess of Wessex, also shared details of the duke's final moments, calling his death "very peaceful".

On Saturday, Prince Charles also spoke about his "dear Papa" and said the 99-year-old "would have been amazed" by the tributes to him.

MPs and politicians across the UK are returning early from the Easter break today to pay tribute to Prince Philip.

Members are back at the Commons a day early, the Welsh and Scottish parliaments have been recalled, while the Northern Ireland Assembly will also pay its respects.

Prince Philip's funeral is due to be held on Saturday in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Attendance is limited to 30 people under coronavirus rules and it will be televised. It will be preceded by a national minute's silence.

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Philip's children, grandchildren and other close family are expected to attend.

The Duke of Sussex is reported to have arrived in the UK from the US, but this has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace or Harry's spokesperson.

His pregnant wife the Duchess of Sussex had been advised by her doctor not to travel.

Boris Johnson will watch the ceremony on television, Downing Street said.

The prime minister's official spokesman said: "He intends to watch the funeral on television, as I'm sure large parts of the public will do."

Number 10 had already said Mr Johnson would not attend St George's Chapel in person, in order to allow as many family members as possible to be there.

The duke was married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years and became the longest-serving consort in British history - he was due to turn 100 in two months' time, on 10 June.

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2021-04-12 13:18:45Z
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COVID-19: Pubs, hairdressers and non-essential shops reopen as lockdown eases - Sky News

Businesses have wasted little time in welcoming back customers after lockdown measures eased across the UK at midnight.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to "behave responsibly" as non-essential shops, hairdressers, salons, pubs, restaurants, outdoor attractions and gyms reopened in England.

Live COVID updates from across the UK and around the world

In Wales, people can also visit non-essential shops and travel across the border to other areas of the UK from today.

Meanwhile, people in Northern Ireland are now allowed to meet 10 others outside as the "stay at home" order has been scrapped.

April snow showers made outdoor service at pubs and restaurants a chilly prospect in parts of southern England, but the wintry conditions appeared to do little to dampen enthusiasm.

Some pubs and hairdressers opened at midnight, while shoppers were queuing outside stores early this morning as high street retail opened up.

Shops are allowed to open from 7am-10pm to help prevent overcrowding.

Nevertheless, shoppers across the country lined up outside shops like Primark in Birmingham and JD Sports on London's Oxford Street this morning to grab the first bargains of the day.

Footfall across all retail destinations in the UK was up 101% by midday compared to a week earlier, according to the most recent figures from Springboard.

The chief executive of the British Retail Consortium has called today a "big day" for non-essential businesses, which are relying on customers for a boost after months of closures.

Helen Dickinson told Sky News that around £30bn of in-store sales have been lost during the COVID pandemic so far and shops are now "desperate to welcome their customers back".

Ms Dickinson said shops would have been focusing on the safety of their customers in preparations, but the public also has a "part to play" in following the guidance.

Some people welcomed today's relaxing of the restrictions by visiting pubs and salons at midnight.

In Newcastle, people were at Switch bar into the early hours as coronavirus rules eased, and others were seen at the Kentish Belle in southeast London.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer & Pub Association told Sky News today is a "first small step in a very long journey to recovery" for the sector.

She added: "The pandemic has been a really devastating time for all those in the beer and the pubs sector [and] … we won't be able to enter any sort of profit until all restrictions are lifted."

Meanwhile, a pub is Coventry is under investigation by the local council after a large crowd lined up outside for the midnight opening.

Videos posted on social media also showed more than 100 people in thick coats queuing outside the The Oak Inn this morning.

A Coventry City Council spokeswoman said: "We will be investigating any venue reported to not be following [the] rules or having difficulties with large queues or unmanageable amounts of visitors."

Elsewhere, London-based at-home beauty salon Secret Spa started doing appointments at midnight.

Co-owner Emily Ewart-Perks said the demand is so high, today's bookings are set to double the company's best-ever takings to date.

"We realised we had quite a few regular clients who we weren't able to book in on the first day back, so we thought 'why don't we open the first moment we can?'" she said.

"It's so amazing. It's just been such a long time coming."

Boris Johnson has his haircut on Monday morning, his spokesman said.

Other businesses are also expecting a welcome boost following months of closures.

Marika Smith, general manager of Hough End Leisure Centre in Withington, Manchester - one of the thousands of indoor exercise spaces reopening - said they have seen a "big uptake" in new people booking to visit the centre.

Ms Smith said: "All of the swimming is fully booked, you can't get on any, and the same for the busy parts of this evening, 6-7 o'clock, is fully booked.

"We have had quite a big uptake of new people coming to the centre, which I think could be down to people realising that they have spent a lot of time at home and just wanting to get out and about and doing something."

And the boss of Chester Zoo, Jamie Christon, told Sky News the park has sold out of tickets today and is largely booked up for the rest of the week. It follows a loss of £11.5m during the pandemic.

Despite the relaxation in lockdown rules, social mixing indoors will remain heavily restricted, with around two in five adults yet to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the vast majority yet to get both.

The prime minister urged caution during the "major step forward" as a scientist advising the government warned the rules must be followed to minimise a possible rebound in infections.

"I'm sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else it's a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed," Mr Johnson said.

"I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember 'hands, face, space and fresh air' to suppress COVID as we push on with our vaccination programme."

The need for continued vigilance was underlined by former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, who highlighted a surge in cases in Chile despite a successful vaccination campaign.

He told Sky News: "From the point of view of the population itself, we're all dying to get out of lockdown.

"From the point of view of the epidemic, I think it's all a little bit more worrying."

He added: "Chile is a country where the rate of vaccination amongst the population was third highest in the world - they were ahead of us in terms of the number of people who have had the vaccine - and they're suddenly now into a third wave."

Modelling by government advisers in the UK has suggested that Monday's relaxation will not result in a surge of cases that would put pressure on the NHS, but it is "highly likely" that there will be a further resurgence in hospital admissions and deaths after subsequent steps along the roadmap out of lockdown.

In response to the easing of restriction, the Metropolitan Police said it will be "stepping up" patrols in high footfall areas from Monday.

Jane Connors, the Met's Deputy Assistant Commissioner, said: "The Met is ready to welcome back people to the streets of London. We will be stepping up our patrols to busy high footfall areas, to look out for everyone's safety and to disrupt any criminal activity.

"Of course, where we need to take action against those who dangerously flout the rules we will do. While the case rate has declined in London, we have seen the concerning position in northern Europe. It is important that we all stick to the rules so further lockdowns, or restrictions, are avoided."

The next step in easing lockdown in England, as per the prime minister's plans, is the 17 May, when socialising indoors will be permitted under the "rule of six".

All restrictions are due to be lifted by 21 June.

However, this will only happen if experts advising the government judge that the vaccination programme is safely breaking the link between infections and deaths.

After three months of full national lockdown, the government said on Sunday that a further seven people had died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test. Another 1,730 lab-confirmed cases were also announced.

Around 61% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to official figures suggesting that more than 32 million people have received a jab. More than 14% have had both doses.

Mr Johnson welcomed a "record-breaking day" for second doses after figures reported on Sunday stated a rise of 475,230 jabs.

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2021-04-12 11:26:15Z
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Prince Harry reported to have landed in the UK ahead of Philip's funeral - CNN International

The Duke of Sussex is said to have been spotted at London's Heathrow Airport disembarking from a British Airways flight from Los Angeles at 1:15 p.m., the Sun newspaper reported citing an eyewitness.

Official sources have declined to comment on Harry's travel movements, but a Buckingham Palace spokesman said over the weekend that the prince "is planning to attend" his grandfather's funeral in Windsor on Saturday.

A royal source told CNN that Prince Charles is "looking forward" to seeing his son.

The trip is the first time that Harry has returned to the UK since he and his wife Meghan stepped back as senior royals last March.

The Duke of Sussex pictured in March last year in Northampton, England.

How Harry can attend the funeral

It is likely Harry will want to follow existing coronavirus travel regulations for international travelers to the UK and ensure a period of quarantine before attending the funeral.

Under those rules, travelers must complete a passenger locator form and provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before leaving for the UK.

Once in England, visitors must either quarantine at home for 10 days or at a managed quarantine hotel. During the mandatory quarantine, two additional Covid-19 tests are required on days two and eight.

Harry could use the UK government's "test to release" system to end his quarantine early. It allows a person to take a private Covid-19 test on the fifth day after arrival to release them from self-isolation if their test result comes back negative. They must quarantine while they await their test result.

There is also guidance for mourners entering the country which allows them to leave self-isolation in "limited circumstances" on compassionate grounds which includes "attending a funeral of a household member, a close family member or a friend." The individual must self-isolate at all other times.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will not be joining her husband for the funeral. She is expecting the couple's second baby this summer and "has been advised by her physician not to travel to the UK" from California where they live, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said Saturday.

The Queen has approved a ceremony adapted from the plan the Duke of Edinburgh consented to years ago to respect pandemic restrictions.

Prince Philip will be laid to rest in a private funeral at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, in what is known as a "ceremonial royal funeral," and will not lie in state, according to the arrangements laid out by the Palace to the press.

Under royal protocol state funerals are usually reserved for monarchs so the duke's funeral will be similar to that of the Queen Mother in 2002, the spokesman explained.

The revised arrangements have been made in "close consultation" with government and public health officials to meet social distancing guidelines which limit funerals to 30 people.

CNN's James Frater and Lindsay Issac contributed to this report.

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2021-04-12 10:35:12Z
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Greensill: Former PMs 'must never lobby government', says Gordon Brown - BBC News

Labour's Gordon Brown says former prime ministers "must never" lobby government for commercial purposes, amid a row over the conduct of his successor.

David Cameron has been criticised for contacting ministers via text on behalf of finance firm Greensill Capital.

The Tory former prime minister broke his silence on the controversy on Sunday, saying he should have contacted ministers through "formal" channels.

But he said he had not broken codes of conduct or rules on lobbying.

Under current guidelines, former ministers and senior civil servants are banned from lobbying for two years after they leave government, a rule Mr Cameron followed.

But Mr Brown - who was prime minister from 2007 to 2010 - said: "Former prime ministers must never be lobbying for commercial purposes. Current ministers should not be entertaining such lobbying."

"It simply brings public service into disrepute," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He suggested that if the existing rules cannot be made to work, new laws should be passed to stop former ministers lobbying for five years after leaving office.

Labour has said "many serious questions remain unanswered" after Mr Cameron's statement and he should be quizzed in Parliament.

It follows a series of newspaper reports over Mr Cameron's lobbying on behalf of Greensill Capital, where he began working as an adviser in August 2018, two years after he left No 10.

The firm was founded by Australian financier Lex Greensill, who worked as an unpaid adviser to Mr Cameron's government.

The reports revealed that Mr Cameron had texted Chancellor Rishi Sunak and other Treasury ministers over access to government-backed emergency loans during the Covid pandemic.

Mr Cameron said he had been trying to involve Greensill Capital in the government's CCFF (Covid Corporate Financing Facility) initiative, launched at the start of the crisis.

'Important lessons'

Mr Cameron rejected calls to comment on the affair until Sunday, when he released a statement to the media.

In it, Mr Cameron said he believed it had been "right" for him to contact government on behalf of Greensill Capital, as it was "involved in financing a large number of UK firms" at a time of "crisis for the UK economy".

But he said he understood the "concern" caused by how he had chosen to make contact with government figures.

"There are important lessons to be learnt," he added.

"As a former prime minister, I accept that communications with government need to be done through only the most formal of channels, so there can be no room for misinterpretation."

Analysis box by Chris Mason, political correspondent

For three weeks the headlines kept coming. For three weeks David Cameron said nothing.

And now this - the former prime minister admits he made a dud judgement call.

Forget the rules; this is about the sniff test. Does it smell bad? Does it feel right?

Plenty had been saying no it doesn't, and now David Cameron appears to agree.

It's a lengthy statement from him, worthy of detailed examination.

But it boils down to this: he acknowledges texting and ringing the chancellor and going for a private drink with the health secretary, as part of his paid work for a private company, was a bad idea.

There's another point worth making too: journalism matters.

The work of the Financial Times and the Sunday Times, ferreting out awkward truths, is what has prompted this.

In his statement, Mr Cameron added: "In my representations to government, I was breaking no codes of conduct and no government rules."

He said that his suggestions about Greensill and the CCFF scheme were ultimately "not taken up".

He also said he had had "very little to do" with Lex Greensill during the financier's time working as a government adviser.

He added that Mr Greensill had been brought in as a government adviser by then-Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, in 2011.

"As I recall, I met him twice at most in the entirety of my time as prime minister," he added.

"The idea of my working for Greensill was never raised, or considered by me, until well after I left office," he added.

The company recently collapsed, with the loss of 440 jobs.

Senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, who chairs Parliament's Liaison Committee, said the lobbying row had revealed a "very casual" culture in the relationship between those at the top of government and business.

"This is pretty devastating, this is pretty corrosive," he told the Today programme.

He added: "I am not going to pass judgment on David Cameron, I think in some respects it's a distraction.

"What is more important is not who is lobbying, and even if you have a five-year ban as suggested by Gordon Brown, is it OK for an ex-prime minister to start lobbying after six years?

"You can't make laws stretch far into the future to bind people to previous employment, it just doesn't work."

Labour's Rachel Reeves said: "The events unfolding over the last few weeks stretch across government and affect thousands of people.

"Transparency and accountability are crucial and that requires the utmost openness from government to establish the full facts behind this scandal."

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2021-04-12 10:08:45Z
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