Dyson lobbying row: Labour calls for probe into PM texts

Sir James Dyson (file pic)

Sir James Dyson texted the prime minister last March when he was involved in efforts to provide ventilators

Labour has called for a "thorough investigation" into Boris Johnson's contacts with inventor Sir James Dyson.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said the messages between the prime minister and Sir James opened up a "new urgent corridor of inquiry".

The texts - seen by the BBC - show Mr Johnson saying he could "fix" tax issues relating to Dyson staff who came to the UK to work on the pandemic.

The PM said he made "no apology" for trying to get ventilators for the NHS.

Labour has said the text messages are part of a pattern of government "sleaze" and has called on the cross-party Liaison Committee of senior MPs to investigate "as soon as possible".

Ms Reeves claimed there was "a growing feeling that if someone has access to a telephone number of someone like the prime minister or the chancellor, then they are able to gain special treatment".

Liaison Committee Chair Sir Bernard Jenkin said the MPs would consider Ms Reeves request adding that the prime minster was due to appear in front of the committee before the summer recess.

In March last year, the Department of Health feared the NHS in England would need as many as 20,000 additional ventilators to deal with Covid patients.

It asked companies, including Dyson, which is based in Singapore, to help.

The prime minister is understood to have called Sir James on 13 March and asked him to participate.

Dyson answered the call - although subsequently the company was not called upon to provide ventilators to the NHS.

Sir James contacted the Treasury for assurances there would be no extra tax to pay for employees who came to the UK to help.

When he failed to get a response, he texted the prime minister directly.

In exchanges seen by the BBC, Mr Johnson messaged Sir James saying: "[Chancellor] Rishi [Sunak] says it is fixed!! We need you here."

When the businessman sought further reassurance for the tax status of the firm and "senior individuals", Mr Johnson replied: "I am First Lord of the Treasury and you can take it that we are backing you to do what you need."

Two weeks later, Mr Sunak told a group of MPs that the tax status of people who came to the UK to provide specific help during the pandemic would not be affected.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson said he made "no apology for moving heaven and earth" to persuade businesses to help bolster supplies of equipment and ventilators to treat coronavirus patients.

He said he had done the "right thing" and that "any prime minister" would have done the same in the circumstances.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called on Mr Johnson to reveal "how many more Covid contracts he personally fixed" and publish all personal exchanges on these contracts.

But Mr Johnson said there was "nothing to conceal about this" and he would share details with MPs.

The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Johnson had abided by the ministerial code, governing conduct in office, and had "informed officials in a timely manner" after his contact with Sir James.

He added that he did not know when the prime minister would publish his exchanges with Sir James.

Separately, it is understood some in government have suggested the prime minister should be less willing to share his personal contact details - but officials have denied that he was told to change his mobile phone number.

It was also revealed recently that former Prime Minister David Cameron had contacted several ministers - including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, whom he texted - on behalf of the failed finance firm Greensill Capital.

Several inquiries have been launched looking into the work of lobbyists, whose job it is to influence government policy.

Mr Cameron has denied that he broke any codes of conduct or any government rules on lobbying.

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