Greensill lobbying report rapped as whitewash
BORIS Johnson has been accused of orchestrating a “whitewash” over the Greensill lobbying scandal after an official review defended the actions of David Cameron despite finding that Lex Greensill enjoyed “extraordinarily privileged” access to ministers.
Nigel Boardman, a lawyer, said lobbying was “vital for the proper functioning of democracy” as he revealed employees of Greensill
Capital contacted nine departments in an effort to sell the firm’s supply chain finance products to government before the company collapsed this year.
In his review, Mr Boardman reserved only mild criticism for those involved, saying Mr Cameron “could have been clearer” about his work for Mr Greensill, an Australian financier. Labour said the report was a “classic Boris Johnson cover-up”.
The prime minister appointed
Mr Boardman to conduct a review after it emerged that Mr Cameron, 54, sent texts to ministers including Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, and Michael Gove, cabinet office minister, at the height of the pandemic.
Mr Cameron was said to earn 29,000 a day at the supply chain finance firm.
In his 141-page report, Mr Boardman defended lobbying rules, saying “the current system and those operating within it worked well”.
“Engagement between government and a wide range of interested parties, which many refer to as ‘lobbying’, is vital to the proper functioning of democracy,” he said.
Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, branded the report a “whitewash” and called for an overhaul of lobbying rules.
Mr Cameron said: “I am pleased the report provides further confirmation I broke no rules. I was open about my relationship.”