Investigation case summary – Institute of Economic Affairs activities for E Foundation

Published on: Monday 10th June 2019

Organisation or person investigated 

Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)

Matter(s) investigated

Possible consultant lobbying by Institute of Economic Affairs on behalf of E Foundation and/or its members.

Registrar’s decision

IEA had not met statutory criteria for consultant lobbying in this case.

Summary of rationale for decision

Explicit confirmation from IEA that they had not received payment – directly or indirectly – from the E Foundation or its members, meant that the IEA did not meet one of the key statutory criteria of consultant lobbying (payment by a third party). Accordingly, IEA could not be considered a consultant lobbyist in relation to the activities in question.

Chronology

29-30 July 2018	Media articles from Guardian and Unearthed including indicative evidence of consultant lobbying by IEA for E Foundation.
Early August 2018	Consideration of initial published evidence by Registrar (Alison White) and decision that case warranted investigation.
20 August 2018	Letters from Registrar to IEA and Unearthed. Explained remit of Registrar, referred to published guidance on consultant lobbying by think tanks, and asked for any further evidence relevant to the case.
3 September 2018	Further evidence provided by Unearthed.
6 September 2018	Substantive response to investigation received from IEA.
22 September 2018	Transfer of case to new Registrar (Harry Rich).
Early October 2018	Consideration of papers and evidence by new Registrar.
29 October 2018	Letter from Registrar to IEA setting out supplemental questions about funding and meetings with Ministers in relation to E Foundation and its members.