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Legalised sleaze: please keep it subtle
Supposedly, the revolving door between working for the government and working on the government for private business interests is governed by a set of rules: you really wouldn't know it, writes SOLOMON HUGHES

THE latest business appointment data shows lobbying and consultancy businesses aiming to influence the government are also busy appointing former top civil servants from related departments.

The “business appointment rules” manage the revolving door for director and deputy director-level civil servants leaving their top government jobs for places in industry.

The rules are supposed to stop private companies from getting too much influence on the government by poaching these top insiders. Many corporations want to either win government contracts or change government regulations — and they have money to spend to help them do it.

Grenfell’s corporate legacy not too toxic for some MPs

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It is rather strange that Labour continues to give prestigious roles to inappropriate, controversy-mired businessmen who are also major Tory donors. What could Labour possibly be hoping to get out of it, asks SOLOMON HUGHES