Latest news with #GHGSat
Sky News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News
Ex-Tory minister George Freeman refers himself to standards watchdog over 'cash for questions' accusations
A former Tory minister has referred himself to the parliamentary watchdog following allegations he was paid by a company that helped him write questions to government. George Freeman, the MP for Norfolk, is reported by The Times to have submitted queries to Labour ministers about the sector the firm operates in. The newspaper published what it said were leaked emails that showed exchanges in which Mr Freeman had asked the company's director what to ask about as he prepared written parliamentary questions related to space data and emissions tracking. Written parliamentary questions can be tabled by any MP and are a common way of requesting more information from a minister in a certain department. Mr Freeman, who reportedly tabled the questions to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, became a paid adviser with GHGSat, a monitoring service for greenhouse gas emissions, in April last year. The appointments watchdog Acoba advised him that in taking up the role, "there are risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office". "In particular, this is a company that is interested in government policy and decisions relating to the civil space sector and emissions," the watchdog said. "You noted you have made it clear to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role." In a statement, Mr Freeman said he did not believe he had done "anything wrong" but that he was referring himself to the standards commissioner. "As a longstanding advocate of important new technologies, companies and industries, working cross-party through APPGs and the select committee, I regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology, and deeply respect and try to assiduously follow the code of conduct for MPs and the need to act always in the public interest," he said. "Throughout my 15 years in parliament (and government) I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism. "I don't believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the parliamentary commissioner for standards and will accept his judgment in due course." He added: "I am very concerned at the unauthorised and targeted access to my emails and diary which I have raised with the police and parliamentary authorities." A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "George Freeman MP has referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. "It would be inappropriate for the Conservative Party to comment further whilst the commissioner's inquiries are ongoing." The Lib Dems and Labour called on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to suspend him, saying the incident bore a resemblance to the cash for questions scandal that engulfed John Major's leadership in the 1990s. A Labour spokesperson said: "Cash for questions was a hallmark of Tory sleaze in the 1990s, and three decades on the same issue has raised its head again. "George Freeman has referred himself for investigation so now Kemi Badenoch must suspend him from the Tory whip." Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper added: "This looks like the same old sleaze and scandal people have come to expect from the Conservative Party. "Kemi Badenoch should immediately suspend the whip from George Freeman while this is investigated. "Failure to act would confirm that even after being booted out of government, the Conservatives are still hopelessly out of touch."
ITV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, refers himself to watchdog over 'cash for questions' allegations
The Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk has referred himself to the parliamentary watchdog after he was accused of taking money to ask questions of government on behalf of a private company. The Times reported that George Freeman broke multiple rules set out in the MP's code of conduct, including lobbying on behalf of a private company. The report alleged that he was paid by firm that helped him write questions which were submitted to Labour ministers. The newspaper published what it said were leaked emails that showed exchanges in which Mr Freeman had asked the company's director what to ask about as he prepared written parliamentary questions related to space data and emissions tracking. He reportedly tabled the questions, which are a way for MPs to ask for more information on the policies and activities of government departments, to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He became a paid adviser with GHGSat, a monitoring service for greenhouse gas emissions, in April last year. The appointments watchdog Acoba advised him that in taking up the role, 'there are risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office'. 'In particular, this is a company that is interested in government policy and decisions relating to the civil space sector and emissions. 'You noted you have made it clear to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role.' Mr Freeman told the Times: 'As a longstanding advocate of important new technologies, companies and industries, working cross-party through APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) and the select committee, I regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology, and deeply respect and try to assiduously follow the code of conduct for MPs and the need to act always in the public interest. 'Throughout my 15 years in parliament (and government), I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism. 'I don't believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will accept his judgment in due course.' Mr Freeman and GHGSat have been contacted for comment. A Conservative Party spokesperson said: 'George Freeman MP has referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. 'It would be inappropriate for the Conservative Party to comment further whilst the Commissioner's inquiries are ongoing.' The Lib Dems and Labour called for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to suspend him. A Labour spokesperson said: 'Cash for questions was a hallmark of Tory sleaze in the 1990s, and three decades on the same issue has raised its head again. 'George Freeman has referred himself for investigation so now Kemi Badenoch must suspend him from the Tory whip.' Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: 'This looks like the same old sleaze and scandal people have come to expect from the Conservative Party. 'Kemi Badenoch should immediately suspend the whip from George Freeman while this is investigated. 'Failure to act would confirm that even after being booted out of government, the Conservatives are still hopelessly out of touch.' The MP for Mid Norfolk is currently on the science, innovation and technology committee and a trade envoy. He was responsible for the UK space agency in his previous role as a minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under Rishi Sunak.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Tory MP refers himself to watchdog over ‘cash for questions' row
A Conservative MP has referred himself to Parliament's watchdog after allegations he was paid by a company that helped him write questions to the government. Former minister George Freeman submitted queries to Labour ministers about the sector in which the firm operates, The Times reported. He even asked what to ask about as he prepared written questions related to space data and emissions tracking, according to leaked emails reported by the paper. Labour and the Lib Dems have called on Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to suspend him. Mr Freeman became a paid adviser with GHGSat, which monitors greenhouse gases, last April. At the time the appointments watchdog Acoba advised there were 'risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office' and noted he had made it clear 'to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role'. The questions were directed at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Mr Freeman told The Times: 'As a longstanding advocate of important new technologies, companies and industries, working cross-party through APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) and the select committee, I regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology, and deeply respect and try to assiduously follow the code of conduct for MPs and the need to act always in the public interest. 'Throughout my 15 years in parliament (and government), I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism. 'I don't believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will accept his judgment in due course.' A Conservative Party spokesperson said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment while the Commissioner's inquiries are ongoing. A Labour spokesperson said: 'Cash for questions was a hallmark of Tory sleaze in the 1990s, and three decades on the same issue has raised its head again. ' George Freeman has referred himself for investigation so now Kemi Badenoch must suspend him from the Tory whip.' Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: 'This looks like the same old sleaze and scandal people have come to expect from the Conservative Party. 'Kemi Badenoch should immediately suspend the whip from George Freeman while this is investigated. ' Failure to act would confirm that even after being booted out of government, the Conservatives are still hopelessly out of touch.' Mr Freeman has been contacted for comment. The MP for Mid Norfolk is currently a member of the House of Commons science, innovation and technology committee and a trade envoy. He was responsible for the UK space agency in his previous role as a minister under Rishi Sunak.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
MP refers himself to commissioner over 'cash for questions' claims
A Conservative MP has referred himself to the standards commissioner after it was claimed a company that he worked for helped him write questions to Freeman asked the director at environmental monitoring company GHGSat "what to ask about" when submitting questions about the sector the firm operates in, the Sunday Times was previously advised by a government committee not to lobby the government on behalf of the firm due to his previous role as science Mid Norfolk MP said in a statement to the BBC that he doesn't believe he did anything wrong, while his party said it would be "inappropriate" to comment while inquiries were ongoing. The Sunday Times reported that Freeman asked the company's director what to ask about as he prepared written parliamentary questions to Labour ministers related to space data and emissions another email, he allegedly asked if the company could help him "get the wording right", which he could then "convert into parliamentary language". Freeman served as science minister under both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, and now sits on the science, innovation and technology took up the advisor role at GHGSat in April 2024, with the MP's register of interests stating he received a monthly salary of £5,000 for eight hours work per month, before leaving the role in March this he notified appointments watchdog Acoba about the role, it advised him there were "risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office".The watchdog said the company "is interested in government policy and decisions relating to the civil space sector and emissions".It said Freeman "should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK government" on behalf of GHGSat, and that "you noted you have made it clear to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role". 'Willing to answer criticism' Freeman told the BBC that through his roles in Westminster he would "regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology", and said he was "very concerned at the targeted and unauthorised and access to my emails" which he said he had raised with police."Throughout my 15 years in parliament [and government] I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism," he said."I don't believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the parliamentary commissioner for standards and will accept his judgment in due course."The Liberal Democrats and Labour have called for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to suspend Freeman while he is under Whately, the Tory shadow work and pensions secretary, was asked on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme whether Freeman should lose the Tory whip, to which she said she was "shocked" by the allegations in the Times' she added she "can't comment any more while the parliamentary commissioner is looking into it".
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Calls for Tories to strip the whip from ex-minister George Freeman over 'cash for questions' row
Kemi Badenoch is facing calls to strip the Tory whip from an MP who is alleged to have been paid by a company that helped him write questions to the Government. George Freeman, the Mid Norfolk MP and a former science minister, is reported to have submitted queries to Labour ministers about the sector the firm operates in. According to his register of interests, Mr Freeman was paid £60,000 between April last year to March this year to be an adviser to GHGSat Limited. The firm uses satellites and aircraft sensors to measure greenhouse gas emissions directly from industrial sites. The Sunday Times published what is said were leaked emails that suggested Mr Freeman submitted questions to the Government with the help of the firm's boss. He is said to have asked the company's managing director what to ask about as he prepared written parliamentary questions related to space data and emissions tracking. Mr Freeman reportedly tabled the question to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The appointments watchdog Acoba previously advised the Tory MP that in taking up the role with GHGSat, 'there are risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office'. 'In particular, this is a company that is interested in government policy and decisions relating to the civil space sector and emissions,' Acoba added. 'You noted you have made it clear to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role.' Mr Freeman told the newspaper: 'As a longstanding advocate of important new technologies, companies and industries, working cross-party through APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) and the select committee, I regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology, and deeply respect and try to assiduously follow the code of conduct for MPs and the need to act always in the public interest. 'Throughout my 15 years in Parliament (and government), I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism. 'I don't believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will accept his judgment in due course.' A Conservative Party spokesperson said: 'George Freeman MP has referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. 'It would be inappropriate for the Conservative Party to comment further whilst the Commissioner's inquiries are ongoing.' But the Liberal Democrats and Labour both called for Mrs Badenoch, the Conservative leader, to suspend him. A Labour spokesperson said: 'Cash for questions was a hallmark of Tory sleaze in the 1990s, and three decades on the same issue has raised its head again. 'George Freeman has referred himself for investigation so now Kemi Badenoch must suspend him from the Tory whip.' Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'This looks like the same old sleaze and scandal people have come to expect from the Conservative Party. 'Kemi Badenoch should immediately suspend the whip from George Freeman while this is investigated. 'Failure to act would confirm that even after being booted out of government, the Conservatives are still hopelessly out of touch.' Mr Freeman is currently on the science, innovation and technology committee and a trade envoy. He was responsible for the UK space agency in his previous role as a minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under former PM Rishi Sunak. A spokesman for GHGSat said: 'GHGSat retained George Freeman MP for a brief period to help GHGSat understand and navigate the geopolitical environment in the UK and Europe. 'GHGSat signed a services agreement with Mr Freeman that did not include any lobbying activities and was concluded on the basis of the terms laid out by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba). 'GHGSat takes all applicable laws and regulations concerning lobbying extremely seriously.'
