Call for official investigation after lobbyist given access to confidential coronavirus briefings

Follows ‘chumocracy’ row.

Opposition parties have called for an official investigation after it emerged an influential lobbyist was given access to confidential briefings on the fight against Covid-19.  

Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has written to the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, urging him to investigate.  

The Scottish National Party has also written to Mr Case and Boris Johnson, demanding a full inquiry.  

The calls centre on the roles of George Pascoe-Watson, director of the PR consultancy Portland Communications and a former political editor of The Sun newspaper, and his colleague James O’Shaughnessy, during the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Pascoe-Watson was quietly appointed as a government adviser in April.

Reports at the weekend say he alerted clients to the government's plans, including on upcoming lockdowns.

The Sunday Times reported that he emailed clients on 15 October to tell them he had been “privately advised” that new restrictions being introduced in London would last until the spring.  

“Decision-makers have told me personally," he said.

The row follows accusations about a "chumocracy" at the heart of government, amid claims those with links to the Tory party have signed lucrative procurement deals in recent months.  

Mr Pascoe-Watson said he had “fully declared my role and responsibilities at Portland Communications to the Department of Health and Social Care”.

“The information shared with clients on October 15 and 29 was in no way connected to the test and trace calls, in which I was no longer a participant”.  

He stepped down from his role with the Department of Health and Social Care, which was unpaid, on 7 October.