David Cameron is reportedly in talks to become a consultant for law firm DLA Piper, five years after the Green Sill scandal where he actively lobbied for his former employer. This comes after his stint as Foreign Secretary last year.
It’s said that the former prime minister may take on an advisory role to help guide the firm through geopolitical challenges. His current portfolio includes various roles, such as serving as an advisor for the hedge fund Caxton Associates and chairing the advisory board for payment company Paycargo LLP.
Understanding Cameron’s position at DLA Piper is crucial. As the third-largest law firm globally, the expectation is that he won’t lobby on its behalf. Since leaving office in 2016, Cameron has taken on multiple jobs, although his previous lobbying for Greensill raised serious questions about his influence and judgment.
A 2021 parliamentary investigation by the Treasury Commission labeled it inappropriate for a former prime minister to send numerous messages to aid Greensill, especially given that he held stock options potentially worth millions. This inquiry highlighted a “significant lack of judgment” on his part.
Cameron’s experience also includes a position at Illumina, which secured a £133 million government contract during the pandemic, and he had a brief tenure at AI company Afiniti before resigning in 2021.
Prior to his role as Foreign Secretary, he appeared to bolster support for port initiatives in Sri Lanka, which align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Cameron’s office and DLA Piper have been asked for comments on the potential consultancy role, but DLA Piper indicated discussions are still ongoing without further elaboration.
Moreover, the Daily Mail recently reported that Cameron faced difficulties in securing a Vodafone mobile phone contract for one of his children, possibly due to his status as a politically exposed person (PEP). This issue gained attention when former British leader Nigel Farage had his Coutts bank account closed under similar classifications.
Financial regulations have led institutions to be more cautious when dealing with politicians, considering them potential targets for corruption. In light of Cameron’s situation, Farage expressed his concerns about the unfair treatment faced by those on the PEP list, noting its breadth includes around 90,000 individuals, even children.
Last year, the Financial Conduct Authority warned banks to improve their practices, ensuring that politicians and their families aren’t unfairly denied services.
