Call For Investigation Into Lobby Boasts

An exposé by a UK broadsheet has led to calls for an investigation into lobby groups who claim to have access to "the heart of the Government".

The appeals come after reports by The Independent, which revealed senior executives at London public relations agency, Bell Pottinger, had boasted they could arrange meetings with a special adviser of Business Secretary Vince Cable on behalf of clients.

According to the Independent's revelations this week, undercover reporters were told by the company that the best way "to get to Vince Cable" was through his political adviser, Giles Wilkes. The company also claimed to have access to the Prime Minister David Cameron and to have enlisted Government help on a number of international issues on behalf of big businesses.

In response to the story, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister Jon Trickett, has announced on Tuesday he has written to the Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell to ask him to initiate an investigation into the claims.

Mr Trickett said he was struck by The Independent’s reports that Bell Pottinger had claimed to have used its influence, on behalf of engineering firm Dyson, to ask David Cameron to complain about copyright infringement to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during a state visit in June.

In his letter, published on Wednesday morning, Mr Trickett inquired about the state visit and asked whether a member of the Prime Minister’s staff or travelling party have contact with Bell Pottinger on behalf of a third party client at the time of the Chinese visit.

Mr Trickett also wanted to know: "If so, what was the nature of this contact? Was the Prime Minister asked by any member of his staff to enquire about Bell Pottinger’s client with the Chinese?"

The Labour MP added: "On the wider issue of lobbying, I note that [David Cameron] gave a firm promise to the House of Commons that there would be a consultation document on the regulation of the lobbying industry which would be published in November. Today a Downing St spokesperson has told the media that the document will once again be delayed."

(DW)