Labour calls for lobbying 'code of conduct'

17 October 2012

Labour is calling for the creation of an enforceable and strengthened set of rules to prevent senior military figures and officials from having "undue influence" over defence procurement after leaving the forces.

The calls follow a Sunday Times' investigation which saw six retired senior officers filmed discussing possible lobbying work after being approached by reporters posing as defence industry executives.

Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely stepped down as national president of the Royal British Legion this week and was fired from an advisory role at Babcock due to comments he made during the investigation.

Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, who told the journalists it was possible to "basically just ignore" the existing rules, resigned from his role at Babcock.

Currently, senior officers and civil servants must have their roles in industry approved by the Advisory Committee On Business Appointments (Acoba), but the Labour party says that new powers should go beyond Acoba and have an impact on the defence companies themselves.

It is calling for the names of all those subject to the two-year 'purdah' after leaving the forces to be publicised on the Ministry of Defence website. The push for transparency should be matched by greater sanctions for rulebreakers, the party said, including barring them from holding public positions in future.

Military lobbyists should have their role confined to advising on military matters only and would have to publish information on hospitality, gifts, meetings and gifted overseas travel under the plans suggested by Labour.

Companies should also have lobbying activity taken into account when bidding for contracts and face fines from Acoba if they hire individuals during purdah.

While Labour says the code should be voluntary to start with, it could be made compulsory in future.

"There must be sanctions for wrongdoers and deterrents for others," said Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy. "Advocacy is important but it must be totally transparent, which is why we are arguing that companies must disclose their lobbyists and military figures must be open about their meetings.

"Important rules are in place, but they must be enforceable and strengthened."