David Lammy is facing possible legal action over a plan to invite staff from Shell and BAE Systems to work inside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). A pre-action letter from the environmental organisation The Corner House warns that the scheme could lead to allegations of conflict of interest and improper influence.
The scheme, first mooted by Lammy in March, aims to embed FCDO staff in firms to gain commercial experience while inviting private-sector staff to take placements in government. However, The Corner House has raised concerns about compliance with human rights and other legal obligations.
Leigh Day, the solicitors firm representing The Corner House, has written to the FCDO warning of potential court proceedings. The legal letter claims the scheme could be illegal and in breach of the civil service code, citing a lack of transparency and the potential for improper influence by Shell and BAE Systems on UK foreign policy.
Nicholas Hildyard, director of The Corner House, said: 'This scheme cries out for judicial scrutiny. Seconding employees from powerful corporations to the Foreign Office or other ministries is a recipe for potential serious conflicts of interest.' He noted that both Shell and BAE Systems have faced accusations of human rights violations, placing them on a collision course with the government's human rights commitments.
An FCDO spokesperson defended the programme, stating: 'We are striking new partnerships with British businesses to harness their expertise, champion their interests overseas and drive growth for the British public. Secondments between the civil service and the private sector are commonplace.'
