Charities at risk of Cabinet Office curbs on lobbying
October 2011
The investigation into the activities of former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox and the role of Adam Werrity as his 'adviser' has put the right of charities to lobby under renewed scrutiny
Charities, public relations companies, trade unions and think-tanks would, according to an article in The Times (19 October 2011) be caught up in new proposals to impose rules on lobbyists who try to influence government ministers.
Sir Gus O’Donnell’s report[1] into Liam Fox’s relationship with ‘adviser’ Adam Werrity revealed that a millionaire mining executive was the latest supporter of Werrity’s activities – who has strong ties with Israel. He had, according to the report, contrivuted thousands of pounds to a not-for-profit organisation set up by Werrity.
The Cabinet Office is now consulting on the definition of lobbying prior to the introduction of the new rules and, according to The Times article “is likely to recommend the definition of lobbyists as ‘those who in a professional capacity work to influence, or work to advise, those who wish to influence the institutions of government in the UK.’”
The article goes on to observe “It is unlikely that ministers would want to exempt lobbyists working for charities, although this may appear as an option in the consultation.
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