Cameron lobbying row sparks review into financial firm

Boris Johnson has commissioned an independent review into Greensill Capital, the collapsed financial firm for which David Cameron lobbied ministers.

Downing Street announced the probe will examine how government contracts were secured by the company and the actions of the former prime minister.

Mr Cameron accepted he should have communicated with the government “through only the most formal of channels” rather than text messages to Chancellor Rishi Sunak as he acknowledged missteps over the controversy.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson had called for the review into Greensill, which collapsed into administration in March, due to “significant interest” in the matter.

An official spokesman said: “The prime minister has called for the review to ensure government is transparent about such activities and the public can see if good value was secured for taxpayers’ money. This independent review will also look at how contracts were secured and how business representatives engaged with government.”

But Labour said the review risks kicking the issue into the “long grass”.

The row surfaced when it emerged Mr Cameron privately lobbied ministers to win access to a coronavirus loan scheme for his employer, financier Lex Greensill.

It was later reported Mr Cameron had arranged a “private drink” between Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Mr Greensill to discuss a payment scheme later rolled out in the NHS.

Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron.