What are the odds of that?
Row over Camelot PR guru... whose dad happens to be gambling minister
THE daughter of the minister responsible for lotteries is a senior executive at a PR firm hired by Camelot.
John Whittingdale has been in charge of gambling at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) since March.
Now fears over a potential conflict of interest have been raised after it emerged that his daughter Alice works for Pagefield.
Miss Whittingdale, who joined the PR firm after graduating from the University of Exeter in 2018, describes her role as ‘helping clients navigate challenging policy areas’.
It raises questions over the access she could get for Camelot, which has operated the National Lottery since its inception.
Pagefield dismissed concerns, saying Miss Whittingdale joined before her father was appointed and has never worked on the gambling firm’s account. Mr Whittingdale lists his daughter’s job on the parliamentary register of members’ interests as ‘researcher’ despite her profile at Pagefield stating she is a ‘senior executive’.
Campaigners have criticised the potential conflict of interest as the Gambling Commission – a non-departmental public body sponsored by the DCMS – is due to hand out the next ten-year lottery licence in February.
The current deal expires in 2023 and the competition to award the next one began in August last year.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, of Clean Up Gambling, said: ‘Alongside the former gambling minister Hugh Robertson subsequently being appointed chair of Camelot [in 2018], these revelations call into question the impartiality of an opaque process for the next lottery licence.
‘There has to be appropriate scrutiny of Camelot’s poor record and the public has a right to know what other operators bidding for the contract would do differently.’
The Gambling Commission said the competition is run independently of the DCMS and Mr Whittingdale has no involvement. But the department could in theory overrule the decision and the regulator’s chairman is appointed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Dr Alex May, a blogger and transparency campaigner who uncovered the potential conflict of interest, said: ‘The gambling minister should have nothing to do with the gambling industry or those who act for it.’
A friend of Mr Whittingdale said: ‘This is nonsense – any allegations of impropriety are unfounded. It was all properly disclosed and considered by civil servants prior to John taking on the gambling brief.’
A DCMS source said the independent adviser at the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics office was notified that the minister’s daughter works at Pagefield and was content there was no conflict of interest. Camelot denied any conflict of interest.
‘There has to be scrutiny’