Minister Under Fire in Greensill Lobbying Row
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch is facing intense pressure from the Labour Party to clarify her role in an investigation into the collapsed finance firm Greensill Capital. The opposition has formally written to the Conservative leader, demanding an explanation for allegations that she used her ministerial position to protect former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron from scrutiny.
Accusations of Political Interference
According to reports from The Guardian, Australian financier Lex Greensill has accused Mrs Badenoch of restructuring an inquiry into his business activities for "political ends". In a letter contesting his potential disqualification from managing a UK company, Mr Greensill claimed the Insolvency Service's investigation was flawed because it did not examine Lord Cameron's involvement. He alleges the probe's scope was altered to deflect from allegations that could implicate the former Prime Minister.
Lord Cameron served as a paid adviser to Greensill Capital before his recent return to government as Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak. While the Conservative peer has denied reports he was paid millions for the role, questions have persisted about his relationship with Mr Greensill, who was granted an office in Downing Street during Lord Cameron's own premiership.
Mounting Political Consequences
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley has described the accusation as "serious" and stated it leaves Mrs Badenoch with questions to answer. In her letter, Ms Turley directly asked whether Mrs Badenoch or anyone else had intervened to have Lord Cameron omitted from the Insolvency Service's probe into the company's collapse.
The controversy centres on the British wing of Mr Greensill's group of companies, which entered administration in March 2021. Mr Greensill now faces the prospect of being disqualified from managing a UK company for 12 years. A spokesperson for Lord Cameron declined to comment on the matter.
