MP calls for lobbyists' register after undercover sting

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

MPs will be urged to back calls for a statutory register of commercial lobbyists with access to Parliament.

It comes after undercover reporters taped executives from public affairs company Bell Pottinger boasting of their power to influence David Cameron.

Labour MP John Cryer will introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill demanding change.

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The government has said it plans to launch a consultation on statutory regulation of lobbying "quite soon", with legislation introduced next year, in the second session of Parliament.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16046499

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Associated news here :

Bell Pottinger faces claims it offered rogue regimes access to politicians.

The Labour party has raised fresh questions over government links to lobbyists after secret tapes suggested senior figures at a prestigious lobbying firm could offer repressive regimes privileged access to Downing Street.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism said that Tim Collins, a senior director at Bell Pottinger and former Tory MP, had claimed he could gain access to Steve Hilton, David Cameron's chief strategist; Ed Llewellyn, Cameron's chief of staff and even foreign secretary William Hague.

Collins's claim came after a member of the bureau went to Bell Pottinger, as well as a number of other lobbying firms, posing as a member of the Uzbek government wanting to clean up the regime's image in the west.

The Labour party said: "These are very serious allegations involving a former member of the Conservative frontbench as well as some of David Cameron's closest confidants inside Downing Street and his cheerleaders in the media."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/dec/06/bell-pottinger-claims-access-politicians

[Hotler]

1. Thing are just as fucked up in the UK as they are here. eom.