Three former Tory cabinet ministers deny wrongdoing in selling Brexit advice to private firms

'Giving some special help to one company when that information is not generally available... is just not acceptable'

Three former Conservative Cabinet ministers have denied it is wrong to receive money in exchange for advising private companies about the Government's approach to Brexit.

During a joint investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times, former health secretary Lord Lansley, senior Tory MP Andrew Mitchell and former deputy leader of the party Peter Lilley were caught on camera discussing financial deals with a fictitious Chinese company in return for intelligence about Britain's exit from the European Union.

Research by Channel 4 found that a total of 20 MPs and former ministers have been paid by private companies for Brexit advice since the EU Referendum result in 2016.

Of those 20, the undercover team contacted 14 people to ask if they would be interested in using their government experience to help with commercial opportunities arising from Brexit.

Three of the politicians who accepted an interview with the fake Chinese company set up by reporters were included in Dispatches, which aired on Sunday at 7pm.

The investigation revealed what Lord Lansley, Mr Mitchell and Mr Lilley could offer the made-up company, Tianfen, in an advisory role.

Lord Lansley told undercover reporters that he has been advising a number of health and pharmaceutical companies on Brexit, and that any business contract with Tianfen could go through his wife's company Low Europe.

He also offered insight on key contacts that would help the company lobby the Government more effectively, but stated that he would not lobby or make introductions to specific ministers himself.

Mr Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield, quoted a rate of £6,000 a day to work with Tianfen and told undercover reporters that he was already being paid for giving Brexit advice, including to private clients of a bank.

He also told the reporters – who he initially thought were from The Sun or the Daily Mail – that up to 39 days of his time are spent on non-parliamentary work, but he could have to capacity to spend up to 50 days.

Former Cabinet Minister Mr Lilley, who announced his retirement as an MP in April last year, told the reporters details of his involvement in groups that advise the Government on matters relating to Brexit and confirmed that he would be able to speak with ministers on behalf of the fake Tianfen.

The former MP, who also told the undercover team he is assuming he will be made a lord, also said that he would not pass on any confidential information and that he will only speak to ministers on behalf of Tianfen if those ministers were already fully aware of his involvement with the company.

Commenting on the undercover footage, former chair of the Public Accounts Committee Sir Alistair Graham said: "Giving some special help to one company when that information is not generally available... is just not acceptable."

But the three men disagree with Sir Alistair's assessment.

"Sir Alistair Graham is entitled to his opinion, but he is wrong," said Lord Lansley.

"I made it clear in these meetings, which took place while I was undergoing cancer treatment, that I would apply the terms of the House of Lords Code in any business relationship; and that this would be written into any contract that I entered into.

"No privileged access, insider information, lobbying activity, parliamentary advice or services were offered.

"I have consulted the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and confidently await her confirmation that I have acted with complete propriety.”

Mr Lilley also issued a denial that he had committed any wrongdoing.

“I have not undertaken any venture which would involve me breaking the codes of conduct referenced nor the Nolan principles." he said.

"I repeatedly made it crystal clear I would not use confidential information.

"I possess no such information. If I did I wouldn’t make it available to anyone.

"It is widely known that I have conversations with high up members of the Conservative party including Ministers regularly.

"If I am invited to join the House of Lords I will want to commit to that … and that will restrict outside work I can do.

"That I am a member of groups with experts who express views on Brexit was relevant only to show that I am engaging in the many ways that Brexit can benefit Britain.”

And Mr Mitchell confirmed that all his outside business interests – paid and unpaid – are fully registered in the House of Commons Register of Members' Interests.

"As the journalists' material will show I abide by the letter and the spirit of the rules governing the business interests of Members of Parliament," he said.