#KeepingTheReceipts Week 26 focuses on COP26 and cronyism, as we take a deep dive into lobbying scandals in the wake of the twists and turns leading up to the resignation of #OwenPaterson. Let’s Begin:
1. While world leaders gathered in Glasgow, some of those in attendance highlighted that the G20 is failing poorer countries with limited climate progress:
2. It was also revealed that top oil industry representatives like the CEO of BP were platformed at COP, despite claims that they would not be welcome.
3. ExxonMobil featured as well, as it transpired that the UK government have been working with the climate denialism funder and other fossil fuel giants to promote unproven environmental solutions:
4. Then, on his return journey from the event, Prime Minister Boris Johnson took was tracked taking a private jet to meet climate sceptic Lord Moore at the members only Garrick Club:
5. As the scandal surrounding Paterson rocked Westminster, and Tory MPs tried to overthrow his 30 day suspension, @ReceiptKeepers found 18 instances of MPs involved in lobbying during the last 6 months:
8. The scandal left a bad taste in the mouth of more or less everyone from Tory backbenchers to the general public, with Boris Johnson being accused of corruption as he whipped to back his colleague:
9. The @BylineTimes found on Thursday that ⅕ of elite Conservative donors, those who’ve given over £100,000 to the party, run firms penalised for corporate infringements:
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In the short time (26 weeks) that we’ve been #KeepingTheReceipts, we’ve recorded 18 instances of MPs or public servants being accused of involvement in lobbying. 🧵
In our first week, Priti Patel was revealed to have lobbied Michael Gove on behalf of a healthcare firm, Pharmaceuticals Direct Ltd, over a £20 million contract for surgical masks:
The same week, Tory peer Eddie Lister apologised for failing to disclose that he was still being paid as an adviser by a firm that received a £187m loan with taxpayer money: mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
#KeepingTheReceipts Week 19 has been as eventful as any other with the cabinet reshuffle, contentious legislation being pushed through at an alarming rate, and a steady stream of reporting on lobbying, donors, and a decline in living standards. THREAD:
1. Further talks over privatising Channel 4 led to increased speculation that the move to pull it out of public ownership amounts to an attack on independent public service broadcasting:
2. The Health & Social Care Bill, accused of enabling further outsourcing of health services and paid for with a £12bn hike in National Insurance, entered committee stage on Tuesday:
While Parliament is in recess you could be forgiven for thinking that the news cycle would have slowed down, but sadly this isn’t so.
As #KeepingTheReceipts week 17 draws to a close, we take a look at the latest on Afghanistan, cash-for-honours, and changes to UK law. THREAD:
1. On Monday it was revealed that Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick breached government transparency rules by failing to disclose a meeting with the Conservative lobbying forum:
As #KeepingTheReceipts week 14 draws to a close, the long-term ramifications of Brexit and cuts to public services, including the NHS, continue to be felt across the UK, and MPs and Lords face renewed scrutiny over their financial dealings. THREAD:
1. The week kicked off with former PM David Cameron once again taking centre stage, after it emerged that he pocketed $10m before finance company Greensill’s collapse, with his spokesperson calling his remuneration a “private matter”
2. Hard-right lobby group, the Institute of Economic Affairs, lost a court battle over it being described as such following a conversation between @PeterKGeoghegan and LBC presenter @mrjamesob, focusing on their opaque funding.
Our #KeepingTheReceipts Week 12 is almost over, and centre stage for much of it yet again is the Home Office, as revelations surrounding detention, policing, and the rights of asylum seekers threaten to further impact the most vulnerable in society:
1. Returning to changes to the Official Secrets Act, on Monday further reports covered the potential 14 year sentences for journalists citing “unauthorised disclosures’, with fears of the UK heading towards becoming an ‘authoritarian police state’
2. The same day, FOI requests uncovered evidence of 52 prisoners in close supervision units being kept in conditions that a UN human rights expert said “may amount to torture”
As we conclude #KeepingTheReceipts week 10, cronyism once more takes centre stage after days of new revelations uncovering VIP contracts, donors/political allies elevated to key positions and the Tories pushing through plans to accelerate #NHS privatisation.
Let’s dive in:
1. On Monday Sue Gray, a key witness who played a major role in granting Greensill Capital formal access to Whitehall, was blocked from giving evidence to the PACAC by the Cabinet Office and Michael Gove