CIPR urges investigation into Cameron lobbying activity to include review into regulations
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has welcomed the government's announced independent investigation into former Prime Minister David Cameron’s lobbying of ministers on behalf of Greensill Capital. The CIPR urges that the investigation be broadened to include changes in legislation to ensure that all attempts to influence political decisions by lobbyists, in whatever capacity, are captured.
In a statement published by the former Prime Minister, he highlighted, “in my representations to government, I was breaking no codes of conduct and no government rules. The Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists has found that my activities did not fall within the criteria that require registration.”
Current legislation governing lobbying in Westminster only requires consultant lobbying to be registered, leaving those on an organisation’s payroll outside the scope of full public scrutiny. This is something the Institute, and the industry, has long criticised and it has previously written to all MPs to set out the standards of acceptable behaviour for professional lobbyists.
Too much lobbying activity is currently out of scope of lobbying legislation and that must change. The independent investigation into David Cameron’s lobbying of government provides the opportunity put in place new, wider reaching legislation that will drive greater transparency and a positive, and respected future for our profession.
Lobbying plays an important role in achieving the informed decisions and informed policy making we are all seeking.
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) owns and manages the UK Lobbying Register (UKLR), a universal and voluntary register of individual lobbyists and lobbying organisations.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas with nearly 10,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).