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The House of Lords has initiated a formal inquiry into allegations surrounding a peer’s involvement in facilitating meetings with government ministers for potential commercial interests. This investigation, involving Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, was revealed on Friday.
This marks the second inquiry of its kind, following a broader examination by the Guardian into the business dealings of members within the House of Lords.
Lord Dannatt was recorded by undercover journalists asserting that he could arrange introductions to key government officials. He acknowledged his ability to connect with influential ministers, despite established regulations that explicitly prohibit lobbying activities by peers.
In these clandestine recordings, he stated that he could easily engage with the right individuals within the House of Lords to facilitate access to ministers for promoting commercial interests. Furthermore, he volunteered information about a previous instance where he had introduced a company—where he held shares—to governmental figures.
As mentioned in their statement, the standards commissioners of the Lords have flagged Dannatt for possible infractions, including a breach of his obligation to uphold personal integrity as a member of parliament.
Additionally, he is being scrutinized for potentially contravening rules that prevent peers from profiting from their position in exchange for offering parliamentary guidance or services. Lobbying ministers for commercial gain, including the introduction of clients, is strictly against these regulations.
In previous statements, Dannatt has rejected claims of misconduct, asserting his adherence to the code of conduct established for peers. On the latest developments, he indicated that he had self-reported to the Lords commissioners for standards, and as a result, he could not provide further comments as the inquiry unfolds.
The investigation by the Lords standards commissioners is not limited to Dannatt; it also includes Lord Evans of Watford, who faces accusations related to cash-for-access schemes. Undercover footage captured him proposing access to government officials in connection with a lucrative commercial arrangement. Evans has disputed any allegations of improper conduct and clarified that he has not received any payments.
The Guardian’s undercover operation involved posing as property developers with ambitions to convert high street retail spaces into a blend of residential and commercial properties, expressing a desire to have their initiatives endorsed by the government.
During their discussion with the fictitious property firm, Dannatt initially emphasized the necessity of adhering to parliamentary rules. He stated his intent to maintain transparency in all dealings to ensure compliance with the regulations.
As the conversation progressed, he reiterated his capacity to facilitate connections within both parliamentary and government circles.
When asked about arranging a ministerial meeting, he conveyed optimism, noting that if the proposal aligned with government policy, there would be no reason for a minister to decline such an engagement.
At one point, he shared an example from his past, discussing his role in connecting a client involved in a major energy project in Sierra Leone—specifically, a hydroelectric initiative with Joule Africa, for which he has been an advisor since 2011.
Source
www.theguardian.com