Labour should not offer paid business leader meetings, Ed Miliband suggests
Mr Miliband told ITV’s Good Morning Britain ministers were not interested in having businesses pay for access to them.
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Labour should not offer companies meetings with ministers in return for cash again, Ed Miliband has suggested.
The Energy Secretary was responding to reports that a Labour Party commercial team had offered company chiefs a chance to “gain insight” with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in exchange for £30,000.
Mr Reynolds was unaware of the meeting – which was first reported by The Sun newspaper – had not agreed to it, nor will he be attending it.
Energy Secretary Mr Miliband urged Labour “don’t do it again” when asked what his message to the party would be following the reports.
Political parties often organise events alongside business leaders, including the Conservatives, who held a business day at their party conference this week.
But the Labour meeting comes amid the backdrop of a row over donations to senior Labour figures, including the Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer has paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality, after an outcry over the donations.
Mr Miliband told ITV’s Good Morning Britain ministers were not interested in having businesses pay for access to them.
“The answer is – whether it is me or Jonathan Reynolds – it is not about paying to have access. That is not what we are about, no,” he said.
But when asked what his message to Labour officials was following the incident, he said: “Don’t do it again is my message.”
He also said Sir Keir’s decision to repay £6,000 worth of donations sends “a signal” and was a “prelude” to introducing new rules on gifts for ministers.
Asked about the meeting, a Labour spokesperson said: “The Business Secretary isn’t involved in this, was completely unaware, and isn’t attending.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.