The City of London’s lobbying activities should be investigated by Parliament’s anti-sleaze watchdog, a coalition of MPs, academics and celebrities urged . The Square Mile enjoys “unfettered and unmonitored” access to senior politicians and civil servants through the historic privileges of the City of London Corporation, the campaigners claim. They call for an inquiry into the relations between the City and political leaders, arguing the lack of scrutiny risks undermining confidence in government.
The campaigners are urging an inquiry into the role of the City Remembrancer, a post dating back to 1571. The incumbent, Paul Double, is entitled to sit in the House of Commons chamber and heads an office with an annual budget of more than £5m. His remit is to act as the “formal channel of communication” with Parliament, although it has not disclosed how many meetings Mr Double holds with politicians. The Lobbying Bill, currently going through Parliament, “will not include any measures to monitor or make publicly transparent the constant lobbying activities of the office of the Remembrancer and his staff”.
City UK, a lobbying organisation closely linked to the City of London Corporation is accused of promoting the “tax avoidance industry”, holds “extremely high levels” of meetings with ministers and civil servants.
The campaigners are urging an inquiry into the role of the City Remembrancer, a post dating back to 1571. The incumbent, Paul Double, is entitled to sit in the House of Commons chamber and heads an office with an annual budget of more than £5m. His remit is to act as the “formal channel of communication” with Parliament, although it has not disclosed how many meetings Mr Double holds with politicians. The Lobbying Bill, currently going through Parliament, “will not include any measures to monitor or make publicly transparent the constant lobbying activities of the office of the Remembrancer and his staff”.
City UK, a lobbying organisation closely linked to the City of London Corporation is accused of promoting the “tax avoidance industry”, holds “extremely high levels” of meetings with ministers and civil servants.
No comments:
Post a Comment