Spin merchants Political Intelligence are already under investigation for providing undisclosed support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mobile Communications (APPGM). A Guido co-conspirator emails to suggest a closer look at the All Party Parliamentary Internet Group chaired by Derek Wyatt MP (who is also on the APPGM).
So Guido investigated the websites apmobile.org.uk and apig.org.uk. The websites are very informative about their activities apart from who provides support. The first was registered by Nicholas Lansman MD of Political Intelligence, the second was a bit more covert, but the address was a bit of a giveaway, it is the office of, you guessed it, Political Intelligence. Is Guido the only person disturbed that MPs are going on junkets under the banner of cross party groups that are organised by lobbyists who keep their industry clients secret and hide their involvement? Legislation regulating these industries makes and breaks their profits. MPs will protest that it is all above board and within the rules (although in this instance Guido suspects that the disclosure rules have not been followed). Until the last General Election, the Blunkett-lookalike now ex-MP Brian White served on these groups and even enjoyed a free trip to Germany out of it in 2002.
So Guido investigated the websites apmobile.org.uk and apig.org.uk. The websites are very informative about their activities apart from who provides support. The first was registered by Nicholas Lansman MD of Political Intelligence, the second was a bit more covert, but the address was a bit of a giveaway, it is the office of, you guessed it, Political Intelligence. Is Guido the only person disturbed that MPs are going on junkets under the banner of cross party groups that are organised by lobbyists who keep their industry clients secret and hide their involvement? Legislation regulating these industries makes and breaks their profits. MPs will protest that it is all above board and within the rules (although in this instance Guido suspects that the disclosure rules have not been followed). Until the last General Election, the Blunkett-lookalike now ex-MP Brian White served on these groups and even enjoyed a free trip to Germany out of it in 2002.
When the wise voters of Milton Keynes booted him out within months he was employed as a consultant by Political Intelligence. Although of course there is absolutely no suggestion any rules have been broken, when it comes to answering ‘what is in it for the MPs who serve on APPGs’ (besides junkets) this provides an uncomfortable direction of thought.
