Labour Lobbyists Will Have More Questions to Answer Tomorrow

Golden Arrow is just the sort of public affairs company that gives the rest of the lobbying industry a bad name.

The Sunday Times exposed Golden Arrow's activities on its front page yesterday in the kind of sting operation they used on Ian Greer Associations fifteen years ago. This is what Ivan Henderson said of Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe...

He [Sutcliffe] is saying to us, ‘Come on, you use me’. That is what Gerry
is actually saying . . . ‘I am there to be used. I want to help you. Use me’.”

Of Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman, Henderson says...

“Every time I e-mail him, he comes right back . . . He says ‘Ivan, this is what
the score is’. He has never turned me down yet. He has gone over the top
really. It is a bit dodgy sometimes.”

Indeed. And no doubt the Parliamentary Commissioner form Standards will have a view on this.

But that's not the half of it. I'll have more, far more, tomorrow - none of which appeared in the Sunday Times. My correspondents have been very busy since yesterday sending me all sorts of interesting information about Golden Arrow. A Labour MP of my acquantance just told me their reputation is in freefall. If it isn't now, it will be tomorrow. Do check back.

PS If anyone knows who their clients are, could they email me privately please?