Lobbying in the United Kingdom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Lobbying in the United Kingdom plays an significant role in the formation of legislation and a wide variety of commercial organisations, Lobby groups 'lobby' for particular policies and decisions by Parliament and other political organs at state and local levels. It is also possible, but less effective for individuals to lobby parliament. The professional lobbying industry has grown steadily in size and influence. It is now estimated to be worth £1.9 billion and to employ 14,000 people, although those in the sector prefer to use the term 'Public Relations', 'Public Affairs', 'Political Consultants', 'Corporate Affairs' to describe their activities which often include other forms of Advocacy.[1]

The current levels of intensive lobbying are causing concern as is the 'revolving door' which allow individuals to move rapidly between legislative and commercial roles in the same sectors creating with the possibility of Conflict of interests. Ministers are making increasing use of Special Advisors (temporary Civil service) who are often selected from the related private sector industries and have been sometimes been criticised for engaging in campaigning while still on the government payroll or for moving directly between lobbying roles and the advisor role.[2]

Since 1994 there have been various complaints by MPs about unacceptable lobbying and a number of police investigations. The parliamentary report 'Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall' produced early in 2009 concluded that there was "very little regulation of any substance" and recommended that a statutory register of lobbying activity was established similar to the one required in the United States. The government subsequently reported that it would rely on a continued period of self-regulation. Early in 2010 it was reported that the Department for Transport could face criminal prosecution following allegations that it may have deleted or concealed emails following a Freedom of information request regarding the department's communications with BAA Limited over the expansion of Heathrow Airport.[3] David Cameron, the Prime Minister said that the issues of lobbying and party funding were "the next big scandal waiting to happen".[4]

Contents

Summary

The professional lobbying industry has been steadily growing in recent years and was estimated in a paper published by the Hansard Society in 2007 to be worth £1.9 billion and to employ 14,000 people.[5] The report also suggested that some MPs are approached over 100 times a week by lobbyists. In addition to direct lobbying, Advocacy groups use other forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and policy outcomes.

There are two self-regulatory bodies which UK public affairs companies can join - the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) - and also the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) which registers individual lobbyists. Public affairs practitioners also get together through the PubAffairs group, which is a network for those working in public affairs, government relations and policy.

The House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee has recommended that a statutory register of lobbying companies and activities is created,[6] however the government has rejected the recommendation.[7]

History

Plane Stupid activists on the roof of the Palace of Westminster in 2008 complaining about BAA's close links with government
Plane Stupid activists on the roof of the Palace of Westminster in 2008 complaining about BAA's close links with government
The phrase "lobbying" comes from the gathering of Members of Parliament and peers in the hallways (or lobbies) of Houses of Parliament before and after parliamentary debates.[8]

During the 1800s petitions were a popular way of raising issues with parliament and in 1839 13,657 public petitions were presented on more than 90 different subjects with a total of over 4.5 million signatures.[9] In 1866 a group of 'Suffragists' petitioned and lobbied parliament that women should have the same political rights as men.[10] They were unsuccessful and in 1903 the Suffragettes were formed who's moto was 'Deeds not Words'; they heckled ministers, displayed banners and used both violent and non-violent Direct action; equal voting rights for women was achieved with the Representation of the People Act 1928.[11]

The first inquiry into lobbying of the parliament was in 1991[6] and in the United States the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 was passed with an objective of maintaining a degree of transparency in the activities of lobbyists. This bill was strengthened by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act in 2007 following the American Jack Abramoff scandal.[12] The OpenSecrets website allows web users to track federal campaign contributions and lobbying activity the United States. It served over 90 million pages to 17 million web visitors during 2007.[13]

In 1994 The Guardian claimed on of London's most successful parliamentary lobbyist, Ian Greer of Ian Greer Associates, had bribed two Conservative Members of Parliament in exchange for asking parliamentary questions, and other tasks, on behalf of the controversial Egyptian owner of Harrods department store, Mohamed Al-Fayed in what became known as the Cash-for-questions affair.[14] Following a lengthy libel case brought by Neil Hamilton and Grier and a parliamentary investigation it was found that "Mr Hamilton's conduct fell seriously and persistently below the standards which the House is entitled to expect of its Members."[15] It was also found that Michael Brown MP had failed to register an introduction payment in relation to US Tobacco (Skoal tobacco)" and had "persistently and deliberately failed to declare his interests in dealing with Ministers and officials over the Skoal Bandits issue." Others were also criticised.[16]

Shortly before the 1997 general election Bernie Ecclestone the head of Formula One donated £1 million to the Labour party; after Labour's victory and after a meeting between Rt Hon Tony Blair and Mr Ecclestone the Department of Health sought exemption for Formula One from the EU’s proposed ban on Tobacco advertising.[17] This event was cited as one of the reasons for the 2008 inquiry.[6]

Jonathan Aitken, previously Minister of State for Defence Procurement under John Major in 1992 was jailed in 1999 in relation to the Arms-to-Iraq scandal.[18] Prior to becoming minister he had been a director of arms company BMARC, and after losing his seat at the 1997 election he was appointed as a representative for the arms company GEC-Marconi[18] (part of BAE Systems since November 1999).

In 2006 is was alleged that by making donations or loans to political parties is was possible to 'buy' Life peerages and thereby participate in the creating legislation directly (Cash for Honours). After a 16 month investigation the police said that no prosecution would be brought because "while peerages may have been given in exchange for loans, it could not find direct evidence that that had been agreed in advance; this direct evidence of an agreement in advance is what would be required for a successful prosecution".[19] This claim was cited as one reason for the reasons for the 'Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall' report (see below).[6]

In March 2007 the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges published a report following a complaint about the conduct of David Cameron regarding his 'Leader's Group'. The complaint related back to August 2007 when David Cameron's Chief Fundraiser used a researcher pass allotted to a Conservative peer Lord Harris of Peckham to gain access to facilities inside the Palace of Westminster and investigated a series of fundraising events which allowed donors to meet Cameron. The investigation concluded that it was improper to employ parliamentary staff for fund-raising purposes and that it was "ill-advised to link directly, in promoting the Leader's Group, the issues of access to his office and party fund-raising". Lord McNally, a member of the Lords Committee said that this was "yet another example of how pressure on political parties to raise ever larger sums from private sources pollutes our politics". Using passes in this way does not however break any written rule.[20]

A Freedom of information request in July 2007[21] showed that BAA executives met the Department for Transport 117 times between 2002 and 2007, including 24 meetings with the secretary of state.[22]

In October 2007 Lord Hoyle (a member of the house of Lords) was paid an undisclosed sum introduce an arms lobbyist, a former RAF officer who worked for BAE, to the defense minister, Lord Drayson. The lobbyist had also a security pass as a 'research assistant' from another MP. Accepting money for introductions is 'frowned on' but not illegal.[23]

In 2008 Plane Stupid activists managed to get onto the roof of the Palace of Westminster and dropped a banner reading 'BAA HQ' as a reference to the close relationship BAA Limited had with government. Gordon brown who was in the house on that day responded saying: "The message should go out today very clearly that decisions in this country should be made in the chamber of this House and not on the roof of this House".[24]

In January 2009 Labour MP John Grogan said that those who had opposed the third runway might have won had it not been for the "intricate web" linking BAA, British Airways and Whitehall. Liberal Democrat MP, Susan Kramer MP said that Commons investigation was "a matter of public interest and is imperative."[25]

In January 2009 The Sunday Times claimed that when a reporter had posed as a lobbyist that Lord Snape, Lord Moonie, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Truscott had offered to influence legislation in return for payment (main:Cash for influence).[26] The Metropolitan Police said that no action would be taken, noting that "The application of the criminal law to members of the House of Lords in the circumstances that have arisen here is far from clear," and "there are very clear difficulties in gathering and adducing evidence in these circumstances in the context of Parliamentary privilege."[27] The House of Lords voted to suspend Lord Taylor and Lord Truscott for six months in the first such action since the 17th century.[28]

Also in January 2009 the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee published a report 'Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall' which noted:

  • The practice of lobbying in order to influence political decisions is a legitimate and necessary part of the democratic process. Individuals and organisations reasonably want to influence decisions that may affect them, those around them, and their environment. Government in turn needs access to the knowledge and views that lobbying can bring.[6]
  • Evidence was given by Greenpeace of a Revolving door where many former Members and Ministers now working for lobbying firms in particular for the nuclear sector. The report listed Geoffrey Norris (special policy adviser to Peter Mandelson),[29] Jamie Reed, Jack Cunningham, Ian McCartney, Richard Caborn, Brian Wilson and Alan Donnelly. They also noted that some ran PR and lobbying firms including Alan Donnelly who runs Sovereign Strategy and employs Jack Cunningham.
  • A complaint by Greenpeace into the access BAA had to the Department for Transport the committee said that while it welcomed wider engagement in the policy process it was important that engagement was even-handed and was seen to be even-handed, also that token engagement bred cynicism and was "worse than no engagement at all".
The report recommended that "A Statutory register of lobbying activity to bring greater transparency to the dealings between Whitehall decision makers and outside interests."[30] It also concluded that the self-regulation of the professional lobbying industry was "fragmented" and appeared to "involve very little regulation of any substance".[6] In October 2009 the government responded to the pasc report rejecting a mandatory register of Lobby groups. The concluded that:[7]
  • All departments will have to publish online quarterly reports detailing ministerial meetings with interest groups and hospitality received by ministers and their advisers. Details of meetings between officials and outside groups will not have to be published.
  • The list of civil servants who will have to publish details of hospitality and expenses will be extended
  • However they proposal for a compulsory register was rejects - feeling that the industry should be given more time to self-regulate but didn't recommend a time at which sel-regulation should be reviewed.
The 'Alliance for Lobbying Transparency' criticised the decisions saying "self-regulation is no regulation"; they compared the situation to that of MPs Expenses scandal.[7]

In August 2009 Transparency International UK received a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust to assess the level of corruption in the UK for the first time.[31] One motivation for research, which is expected to take 12 months is the "anecdotal evidence and reports in the media suggest that: a) there is a widespread belief that certain institutions and processes within the UK are vulnerable to corruption, for example, funding of political parties".[32]

In February 2010 there were a number of separate developments:

  1. It was reported that the Department for Transport were being investigated by the Information Commissioner's Office and could face a criminal investigation over allegations that it had deleted or concealed records to prevent them from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. The investigation followed a complaint by Justine Greening MP.[3]
  2. Andrew MacKay, a conservative MP and previously a senior advisor to Cameron's team was reported to be joining the lobbying firm Burson-Marsteller after quitting parliament at the next election with a salary in excess of £100,000;[33] His wife, Julie Kirkbride, also an MP was reported to be looking for a lobbying job as well at a similar salary. The couple were both stepping down at the next general election following their part in the MP's expenses scandal which they had claimed second-home allowances on separate houses. They had been ordered to repay £60K.[34]
  3. Tom Watson complained of "unprecedented and relentless lobbing" around the Digital Economy Bill which is sponsored by Lord Mandelson. He suggested that some over 100 people were probably working full time to 'bounce it' through parliament and possibly only two people representing the interests of the nation’s youth. He observed that it was difficult when being lobbied by people you respect and admire.[35] Lord Puttnam accused the government of attempting to push through the legislation without allowing for proper discussion, and that the bill as it stands was not fit for purpose.[36]
  4. David Cameron, the conservative leader predicted that it was "the next big scandal waiting to happen. It’s an issue that crosses party lines and has tainted our politics for too long, an issue that exposes the far-too-cosy relationship between politics, government, business and money". He suggested that he would shine "the light of transparency" on lobbying so that politics "comes clean about who is buying power and influence."[4] Cameron has personal experience of the 'revolving door' moving as he did from the role of ministerial Special Advisor - first for Norman Lamont (Chancellor of the Exchequer)[37] and then for Michael Howard (Home Secretary)[38] He then moved to become Director of Corporate Affairs at Carlton Communications at a time when the company bid successfully with Granada television for license with to launch the world's first Digital terrestrial television service (ONdigital - later branded ITV digital).[39] He resigned as a director of Carlton to run for parliament but remained on as a consultant to the company. During a round table discussion on the future of broadcasting in 1998 he criticised the effect of overlapping different regulators on the industry.[40]
In March 2010 Dispatches and The Sunday Times recorded four Members of Parliament offering lobbying in return for influence with the Cabinet. Stephen Byers, a former member of the cabinet was recorded as saying he would work for up to £5,000 a day and was like a "cab for hire.[41][42][43]

Also in March 2010 the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments revealed that Tony Blair, who resigned as prime minister and as an MP on 27 June 2007[44] had acted as a paid business consultant to an oil firm with interests in Iraq just 14 months after leaving office. In July 2008 he had requested to the committee that his relationship with UI Energy Corporation should be kept secret for reasons of 'market sensitivity' and the committee agreed to postpone publication for three months against normal procedures; the committee then had to then "chase" Blair and send a formal letter to his office in November 2009 which was responded to in February 2010 with a request for continued secrecy. The committee chairman Lord Lang disagreed and the information was published on their website with the note 'Publication delayed due to market sensitivities'. UI Energy also retains other senior political figures including former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke, former US Secretary of Defense United States Mr. Frank Carlucci and a former US commander for the Middle East, General John Abizaid.[45] The news raised concerns that he had profited financially from contacts he made during the Iraq war.[46] Blair also earned money from the ruling family in Kuwait from December 2007 for whom he produced as report on the oil state's future over the next 30 years for a reported £1m fee. An investigation by The Guardian in 2009 found that he had put his multimillion-pound income through "an obscure partnership structure called Windrush Ventures, which enabled him to avoid publishing normal company accounts".[45][47]

Major lobbying sectors

Aviation lobby

There has been considerable lobbying activity by the aviation sector in recent years. In 2009 senior MPs demanded a Commons investigation into evidence of a "revolving door" policy between Downing Street, Whitehall and BAA Limited (BAA is a major UK airport operator).[25] The following sections show the close relationship between the government, industry and companies working for the industry. It also shows the frequency with which senior people switch between government and industry in ways that often create a Conflict of interest. Campaigners have won a High Court battle over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport in March 2010 when Lord Justice Carnwath ruled that the government's policy support for a third runway would need to be looked at again and called for a review "of all the relevant policy issues, including the impact of climate change policy". The Department for Transport vowed to "robustly defend" the third runway plan.[48]

BAA Limited

Joe Irvin was advisor to John Prescott from 1996 and 2001 (Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions as well as Deputy Prime Minister) before working for various element of the aviation lobby and becoming head of corporate affairs at BAA in 2006 before he became 'Special Advisor' to Gordon Brown in 2007 when he became prime minister.[25][49] He was succeeded at BAA by Tom Kelly who took the title 'group director of corporate and public affairs'; Kelly had previously been the official spokesman for Tony Blair when he was prime minister.[25]

Stephen Hardwick was an adviser to John Prescott before becoming head of public affairs at BAA and later forming Altitude Consultancy[50] which "helps clients with business-critical public policy, regulation and reputation issues to define, pursue and achieve their objectives"[51] It is reported that Hardwick helped establish Freedom to Fly which was part funded by BAA.[52]

BAA employs PR company Finsbury which is headed by from Roland Rudd and was sold the company to WPP Group for £50m in 2001. Rudd's business partner was Rupert Younger, son of Lord Young who was previously Secretary of State for Trade & Industry[53][54] Rudd is a close friend[55] of business secretary Lord Mandelson who 'strongly' backed the business case for expansion and is credited with winning over rebel ministers at the last minute. In the run-up to the decision Mandelson held meetings with Finsbury and officials from Finsbury met with transport minister Lord Adonis.[56]

BAA said: "It is entirely appropriate that BAA holds discussions with government, as we do with politicians of all parties, in the interest of Britain's airports. As was clearly demonstrated with a decision last week, government and government alone makes the critical judgements that affect airport growth."[25]

Freedom to Fly

Freedom to Fly was formed during the preparation phase of the "Future of Aviation white paper 2003' by BAA and others[57] It was 'fronted' by Joe Irvin, a former political adviser to John Prescott[58] who subsequently became Director of Public Affairs at BAA Limited.[59] It was chaired by Brenda Dean[52] a Labour Peer and a privy councillor.[60] Their director, Dan Hodges, is the son of Glenda Jackson, Labour MP and former Aviation Minister.[52]

Future Heathrow

Future Heathrow is a coalition of aviation focused businesses and trades unions who support the 'sustainable growth of Heathrow'[61] Their Campaign Director, Lord Soley,[62] was also a senior Labour MP and one time chair of the parliamentary Labour party.[63]

Flying Matters

Main article: Flying Matters
Flying Matters was formed in 2007 with support from various companies in the aviation sector who were concerned about impending legislation which would have affected the sector. The organisation was also evidently concerned about the Conservative's rejection of Heathrow 3rd runaway, a fact that was later confirmed by a leaked strategy document.

Initially Digby Jones was appointed chairman. Following Jones's appointment as Minister of State for Trade in both the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Foreign Office[64] Brian Wilson was appointed in his place. Wilson been a Labour MP until 2005 and a minister at the Department of Trade and Industry.[65] Michelle De Leo was appointed director. Leo is the wife of Dan Hodge (director of Freedom to Fly and son of Glenda Jackson - aviation minister).[52]

As well as lobbying politicians Flying Matters published press briefing,[66] carried out polls,[67] published research, commissioned advertisements,[68] gave evidence to a public inquires[69] and participated in party conferences.[70] Their lobbying was countered by the work of Plane Stupid and others who frequently complained at the close relationship between the lobby group and government[71] and in 2008 protested on the roof of the UK's Houses of Parliament while parliament was sitting to draw attention to the close relationship between BAA Airports Ltd and the government.[72] In 2009 Greenpeace acquired and published a detailed confidential report into the group activities and plans.[73] The activists complained about the revolving door where the same people (including Brian Wilson) move between government and the private sector[74] claiming that this is a Conflict of interest which leads to poor decisions. The objectives outlined in the leaked 'draft Strategy and programme for 2009-10' stated that it was: "Essential to keep the debate moving the in right direction to give ministers confidence in their position" ... "Essential to help establish a foundation from which the Conservatives could amend their position post election". The organisation's budget for 2008-2009 was £390K.[75] The leaked papers claimed that The Department for Transport was independently approaching Flying Matters for support on key issues on the Climate change bill and Leo confirmed that they had been approached. This was denied by the Department for Transport.[76]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Public Affairs News - Essential reading for lobbyists...". Public Affairs News. http://www.publicaffairsnews.com/. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  2. ^ "Adviser's move to lobby firm attacked". The Telegraph (London). 2002-06-12 . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1397040/Advisers-move-to-lobby-firm-attacked.html. Retrieved 2010-03-08. 
  3. ^ a b Butterworth, Myra (2010-02-07). "DfT could face criminal investigation over Heathrow airport". The Telegraph (London) . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7181879/DfT-could-face-criminal-investigation-over-Heathrow-airport.html. Retrieved 2010-05-11. 
  4. ^ a b Porter, Andrew (2010-02-08). "David Cameron warns lobbying is next political scandal". The Daily Telegraph (London) . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7189466/David-Cameron-warns-lobbying-is-next-political-scandal.html. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 
  5. ^ Dr Phil Parvin (January 2007). "Friend or Foe? Lobbying in British democracy" (pdf). Hansard Society . http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/files/folders/357/download.aspx. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  6. ^ a b c d e f Public Administration Select Committee (5 January 2009). "Lobbying: Access and influence in Whitehall" (pdf) . http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/36/36i.pdf. Retrieved 5 January 2009. 
  7. ^ a b c "Government rejects call for lobbying register". Civil Society. http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/5391/government_rejects_call_for_lobbying_register. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 
  8. ^ "Lobbying". BBC News. 2008-10-01 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82529.stm. Retrieved 2010-02-03. 
  9. ^ "Participation through petition". Parliament. http://www.parliament.uk/about/livingheritage/transformingsociety/chartists/overview/participationthroughpetition.cfm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  10. ^ "Women and the vote". Parliament. http://www.parliament.uk/about/livingheritage/transformingsociety/womenvote.cfm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  11. ^ "The campaign for suffrage - a historical background". The British Library. http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_publications_and_archives/parliamentary_archives/archives___the_suffragettes.cfm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  12. ^ Babington, Charles; Associated Press (2007-09-15). "Bush Signs Lobby-Ethics Bill". Washington Post . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/15/AR2007091500589.html. Retrieved 2007-10-17. 
  13. ^ "About the Site". OpenSecrets. http://www.opensecrets.org/about/tour.php. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 
  14. ^ "Tory MPs were paid to plant questions says Harrods chief". The Guardian. 1994-10-20. 
  15. ^ "Complaints from Mr Mohamed Al Fayed, the Guardian and others against 25 members and former members:Second further report: Mr Neil Hamilton". Parliament. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmstnprv/261viii/sp0803.htm. 
  16. ^ "Complaints from Mr Mohamed Al Fayed, the Guardian and others against 25 members and former members". Parliament. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmstnprv/240vii/sp0703.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-08. 
  17. ^ Oliver, Jonathan; Oakeshott, Isabel (2008-10-12). "Secret papers reveal Tony Blair’s F1 tobacco deal". The Times (London) . http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4926737.ece. Retrieved 2010-03-26. 
  18. ^ a b "Jonathan Aitken: a timeline". The Guardian (London). 1999-06-08 . http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/1999/mar/04/uk. Retrieved 2010-03-26. 
  19. ^ "No charges on 'cash for honours'". BBC News. 2007-07-20 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6907594.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-26. 
  20. ^ MacIntyre, James (2007-08-01). "Mystery of Cameron's chief fundraiser and his Commons pass". The Independent (London) . http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mystery-of-camerons-chief-fundraiser-and-his-commons-pass-459798.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  21. ^ Department for Transport. "Ministers and senior officials meetings". National Archives . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2007/july2007/aviationmeetings/aviationmeetings. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  22. ^ "DfT / aviation industry meetings". Plane Stupid. http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2007/09/27/dft-aviation-industry-meetings. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  23. ^ Leigh, David (2007-10-26). "Peer was paid to introduce lobbyist to minister". The Guardian (London) . http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/oct/26/lords.immigrationpolicy. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  24. ^ "'Plane Stupid' Activists Freed On Bail". Sky News. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641307277. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 
  25. ^ a b c d e Helm, Toby (2009-01-18). "Fury at airport lobby links to No 10". The Guardian (London) . http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/18/heathrow-third-runway. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  26. ^ "Revealed: Labour lords change laws for cash". London: The Sunday Times. 25 January 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5581547.ece. 
  27. ^ "Police decide against peers probe". BBC. 29 January 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7884091.stm. 
  28. ^ "Lords vote to suspend two peers". BBC News. 2009-05-21 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8060003.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-08. 
  29. ^ "Geoffrey Norris". http://www.industry-forum.org/biography.cfm?speakerid=43. 
  30. ^ Public Administration Select Committee (5 January 2009). "PASC calls for a register of lobbying activity" . http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/public_administration_select_committee/pasc0809pn6.cfm. Retrieved 5 January 2009. 
  31. ^ "Domestic Corruption and Reform of Corruption Law". Transparency International UK. http://www.transparency.org.uk/ti-uk-programmes/domestic-corruption-and-reform-of-corruption-law. 
  32. ^ "Assessing the extent of corruption in the UK". Transparency International UK. http://www.transparency.org.uk/attachments/106_UK%20corruption%20TI-UK%20PROJECT.doc. 
  33. ^ "Cameron aide who quit over expenses lands top lobby job". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250023/MPs-expenses-Former-Cameron-aide-Andrew-MacKay-lands-lobby-job.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  34. ^ "Julie Kirkbride looking for a lobbying job". The Finincial Times. http://blogs.ft.com/westminster/2010/02/julie-kirkbride-looking-for-a-lobbying-job/. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  35. ^ "Digital Economy Bill – unprecedented lobbying operation". Tom Watson. http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2010/02/digital-economy-bill-unprecedented-lobbying-operation/. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  36. ^ "Digital Economy Bill criticised by the House of Lords, as details revealed on whether internet cafes, libraries and universities are service providers". http://www.scmagazineuk.com/digital-economy-bill-criticised-by-the-house-of-lords-as-details-revealed-on-whether-internet-cafes-libraries-and-universities-are-service-providers/article/164973/. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  37. ^ "Brats on the move", The Times, 14 April 1992.
  38. ^ "No score flaw", The Times, 22 June 1993
  39. ^ "Confident Carlton shrugs off digital licence doubts", The Express, 22 May 1997.
  40. ^ "We can't wait any longer to map the digital mediascape", New Statesman, 3 April 1998.
  41. ^ Lefort, Rebecca (2010-03-21). "Four Labour MPs implicated in cash for influence scandal". London: The telegraph online . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7490787/Four-Labour-MPs-implicated-in-cash-for-influence-scandal.html. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
  42. ^ "Revealed: Labour’s cash for influence scandal". London: The Times online. 2010-03-21. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7068820.ece. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
  43. ^ "Ex-ministers in 'cash for influence' row under fire". The BBC online. 2010-03-21. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8578597.stm. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
  44. ^ "Brown is UK's new prime minister". BBC News. 27 June 2007 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6245682.stm. Retrieved 27 June 2007. 
  45. ^ a b Jason Groves (19 March 2010). "Blair's fight to keep his oil cash secret: Former PM's deals are revealed as his earnings since 2007 reach £20million". Daily Mail . http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259030/Tony-Blairs-secret-dealings-South-Korean-oil-firm-UI-Energy-Corp.html. Retrieved 21 March 2010. 
  46. ^ ""Tony Blair's secret lucrative advisory job with Iraq oil firm"". Daily Mirror. 20 March 2010. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/03/20/blair-s-secret-pay-deal-with-iraq-oil-firm-115875-22125177/. Retrieved 2010-03-30. 
  47. ^ Mendick, Robert (2009-11-14). "Gordon Brown urged to investigate Tony Blair over web of companies". The Telegraph (London) . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/6568625/Gordon-Brown-urged-to-investigate-Tony-Blair-over-web-of-companies.html. Retrieved 2010-03-30. 
  48. ^ "Heathrow third runway opponents win court challenge". BBC News. 2010-03-26 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8588220.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-26. 
  49. ^ Deedes, Henry (2007-04-25). "Tories try to rubbish Gordon's next bag man". The Independent (London) . http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/tories-try-to-rubbish-gordons-next-bag-man-446102.html. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  50. ^ "Stephen Hardwick". Altitude Consultancy. http://www.altitudeconsultancy.co.uk/stephen_hardwick.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-05. 
  51. ^ "What we do". Altitude Consultancy. http://www.altitudeconsultancy.co.uk/what.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  52. ^ a b c d Garman, Joss (2007-06-29). "Flying to close". The Guardian (London) . http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jun/29/flyingtooclose. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  53. ^ McIntosh, Bill (2001-05-25). "Finsbury sale to WPP creates richest company spin doctor". The Independent (London) . http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/finsbury-sale-to-wpp-creates-richest-company-spin-doctor-685942.html. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  54. ^ "The Media 100 1995 - 95. Roland Rudd". London: The Guardian. 2008-07-14. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jul/14/mediatop100200890. Retrieved 2010-03-06. 
  55. ^ (Mandelson is a godfather to Rudd's son)
  56. ^ "Mandelson in new 'favours' row: Heathrow PR pal had six meetings with ministers before new runway go-ahead". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1157763/Mandelson-new-favours-row-Heathrow-PR-pal-meetings-ministers-new-runway-ahead.html. 
  57. ^ "Royal Aeronautical Society - The Aviation White Paper: can we deliver airport capacity sustainably?". http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/royal_aeronautical_society.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  58. ^ "New freedom to fly campaign an ‘industry front’...". Halcan. http://www.hacan.org.uk/news/press_releases.php?id=18. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  59. ^ "Joe Irvin to join BAA as Public Affairs Director". http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news06/282-JoeIrvin.shtml. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  60. ^ "From Wapping to Westminster". http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/pages/news-events/from-wapping-to-westminster.php. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  61. ^ "About Future Heathrow". http://www.futureheathrow.com/page.php?id=3. 
  62. ^ "Future Heathrow". Future Heathrow. http://www.futureheathrow.com/. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  63. ^ "Lord Soley". BBC News. 2002-10-17 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2070529.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  64. ^ BBC News Online Brown to unveil further changes
  65. ^ "Brian Wilson". BBC News. 2002-10-17 . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2069361.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  66. ^ Flying Matters (2007-08-23). "Aviation and Climate Change". Press release . http://www.flyingmatters.co.uk/templates/briefings_article.asp?PageID=45. Retrieved 2007-12-23. 
  67. ^ Flying Matters. "US, China and India bear most responsibility for climate change according to new poll". Press release . http://www.flyingmatters.co.uk/templates/press_article.asp?PageID=64. Retrieved 2007-12-23. 
  68. ^ Richard George. "Adverts featuring "No Entry" signs slapped over the Taj Mahal and Sydney Opera House". Plane Stupid . http://www.planestupid.com/?q=blogs/2007/09/12/no-shit-climate-matters. Retrieved 2007-12-23. 
  69. ^ "Flying Matters accuse Eskimo of 'apocalyptic green spin' in row over Stansted expansion". UK Airport News. 2007-07-22 . http://www.uk-airport-news.info/stansted-airport-news-220707.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-23. 
  70. ^ Richard George (2007-12-09). "Bashing Brian: According to Private Eye, Wilson launched into a tirade in favour of airport expansion". Plane Stupid . http://www.planestupid.com/?q=blogs/2007/12/9/flying-matters-bashing-brian. Retrieved 2007-12-23. 
  71. ^ "Peter Mandelson: Yachtgate 2.0". Plane Stupid. http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/2/peter-mandelson-yachtgate-20. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
  72. ^ "Anti-airport protesters scale Parliament's roof". The Independent (London). 2008-02-27 . http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/antiairport-protesters-scale-parliaments-roof-788107.html. Retrieved 2008-02-27. 
  73. ^ "Flying Matters - Leaking lobbying plan". Greenpeace. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/leaked-flying-matters-document-20090213. Retrieved 2009-02-22. 
  74. ^ "Climate activists mark 10 years of Blair". Plane Stupid. http://www.planestupid.com/content/climate-activists-mark-10-years-Blair. Retrieved 2010-02-03. 
  75. ^ "Draft Strategy and programme 2009-2010". Flying Matters. 2009-01-01. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/files/flyingmatters.pdf. 
  76. ^ Vidal, John (2009-02-18). "Aviation lobbyists enlisted to tackle rebel climate MPs, leaked papers show". The Guardian (London) . http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/18/aviation-climate-bill. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 

Further reading

External links

Personal tools
Toolbox