Liam Fox. Image, Tech. Sgt. Michele A. Desrochers, public domain
Transparency campaigners have accused international trade minister Liam Fox of “having trouble again seeing the line between adviser and privately-backed lobbyist” after openDemocracy learned that one of Fox’s “committee of experts” has become an advisor to one of the UK’s biggest corporate lobbying firms.
Former Legatum trade chief Shanker Singham, described by a former Labour minister as a ‘hard Brexit Svengali’, is now advising PR and lobbying agency Grayling on Brexit and trade. Singham, who has been said to enjoy “unparalleled access” to government ministers, has told openDemocracy that there is “no conflict” between his role as an adviser to trade minister Fox and his new position.
