17 hours ago
1
Joe PikePolitics investigations correspondent
Getty Images
Jim Murphy was Secretary of State for Scotland between 2008 and 2010
The trade body for lobbyists has called for "urgent reform" and "immediate regulatory action" after the BBC uncovered details of a company offering access government officials for money.
Arden Strategies, which is run by ex-Labour cabinet minister Jim Murphy, asked companies for £30,000 to sponsor an event, including a "photo opportunity" with a minister and access to a "VIP dinner" with "top advisers" to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) said: "The government must order a review of cash-for-access schemes" as "these are precisely the kinds of behaviour that seriously undermine public confidence in our industry".
Murphy's firm is not a member of the PRCA trade body which would require it to list all of its clients.
It is, however, registered with the lobbying regulator which forces lobbyists to submits the names of clients for whom it has directly lobbied government ministers.
Murphy's firm is not a member of the PRCA but is registered with the lobbying regulator. It has apologised for what it described as "errors" and "clumsy language".
Arden Strategies has been approached for comment. They previously said: "Information about an event unfortunately contained very clumsy language by mistake which should never have been used and hadn't been approved.
"It was stupid to do and we apologise for this mistake. This included mentioning attendees who had not been confirmed. We are sorry for these errors."
A member of Sir Keir Starmer's team said: "No Downing Street staff members have received a formal invitation to this dinner."
A Treasury source said they were not aware of any of Rachel Reeves's advisers being invited.
The Cabinet Office has been contacted for a response.
The BBC obtained a copy of a sponsorship document for an Arden "tech summit" event in London in July.
It shows that for £30,000 a company would be able to sponsor a drinks reception and receive a range of benefits.
These include personal introductions to "stakeholders", a "photo opportunity with the minister" and one seat at a private "VIP dinner with top advisers to the prime minister, chancellor and other senior tech policymakers".
A member of Sir Keir Starmer's team said: "No Downing Street staff members have received a formal invitation to this dinner."
Arden Strategies said in a statement: "Information about an event unfortunately contained very clumsy language by mistake which should never have been used and hadn't been approved.
"It was stupid to do and we apologise for this mistake. This included mentioning attendees who had not been confirmed. We are sorry for these errors."
