The Scotsman

Cameron and Sunak face Greensill questions from MPS

- By DAVID HUGHES

David Cameron and Rishi Sunak could be called before MPS to answer questions about the former prime minister's lobbying activities for Greensill Capital.

The Commons Treasury committee will seek to question the pair after it emerged Mr Cameron sent text messages to the Chancellor as he sought to gain access to Government-backed coronaviru­s loans for Greensill.

The cross-party panel of MPS also want to question Lex Greensill, the boss of the firm which collapsed into administra­tion in March.

The Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and UK Government Investment­s will also face questions in the probe into the failure of Greensill and its attempts to lobby the Government.

Treasury committee chairman Mel Stride said: "There are questions to be answered in relation to Greensill Capital regarding the operation of the UK'S financial system and its regulation.

"Also, whether the Treasury responded appropriat­ely to lobbying from Greensill during the pandemic. I will be writing shortly to the Chancellor, the Governor of the Bank of England, chief executive of the FCA, and David Cameron requesting answers to various initial questions. The committee will be holding its first evidence session into Greensill Capital next week."

A series of investigat­ions have now been launched into the role Mr Cameron played in securing Whitehall access for Mr Greensill, whose firm's collapse risks thousands of jobs, particular­ly in the steel sector.

The Commons public administra­tion and constituti­onal affairs committee gave details of its investigat­ion into the lobbying row, which will look at whether existing rules and penalties are tough enough. The committee noted the collapse of Greensill Capital

and revelation­s about its relationsh­ip with ministers and Whitehall "have raised significan­t concerns about the propriety of governance in this country" which "risks underminin­g public trust".

Committee chairman William Wragg MP said: "Standards in public life are vitally important, and I think most politician­s and civil servants fulfil their roles honourably.”

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