Lex Greensill has accused Kemi Badenoch of 'interfering' in an insolvency case 'for political ends', alleging the former business secretary sought to protect David Cameron from scrutiny over a lobbying scandal. In a letter to current Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Greensill claimed Badenoch restructured an inquiry into his activities to exclude Cameron's role, allowing the former prime minister to be elevated to the House of Lords and appointed foreign secretary without being embroiled in proceedings.
Greensill, whose companies paid Cameron millions, argued the Insolvency Service's case against him should be dropped as it is 'based on allegations that have no merit and little or no evidence'. He stated that the decision to omit Cameron's involvement meant the case was politically motivated, designed to deflect from allegations that could implicate Cameron in wrongdoing.
The financier, who had access to the heart of government during Cameron's tenure, hired the former PM as an adviser in 2018. After Greensill Capital (UK) collapsed in 2021, Cameron faced criticism for lobbying ministers and officials on the firm's behalf during the pandemic. Greensill's collapse triggered criminal investigations in the UK, Germany and Switzerland, though Cameron's conduct is not believed to be under scrutiny.
Badenoch was business secretary in 2023 when the Insolvency Service began proceedings to disqualify Greensill from managing a UK firm. Greensill claims the inquiry initially focused on his dealings with the Gupta Family Group (GFG), but after November 2023—when Cameron became foreign secretary—the service dropped its interest in GFG, thus excluding Cameron's involvement. Greensill has called on Kyle to investigate the matter.
