Summary of investigation – The Rt Hon the Lord Hammond of Runnymede

Published on: Tuesday 7th November 2023

October to November 2023

Organisation or person investigated

The Rt Hon the Lord Hammond of Runnymede “Lord Hammond”

Matter(s) investigated

Whether Lord Hammond conducted unregistered consultant lobbying

Registrar’s decision

Based on assurances provided, Lord Hammond has not conducted consultant lobbying activities.

Summary of rationale for decision

Lord Hammond provided assurances that no representation took place and that he was an employee of Copper Technologies (UK) Ltd.

Under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, consultant lobbying is communicating with Ministers and Permanent Secretaries for a paying client. Lobbying conducted by an employee does not require registration.

Chronology

Date	Action
5 Oct	Financial Times article ‘Crypto firm Copper met UK officials after Philip Hammond phone call’
20 Oct	Formal letter from the Registrar to Lord Hammond giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if its activities fall within the criteria to be registered with particular reference to, but not limited to, the Financial Times article of 5 October.
3 Nov	Letter from Lord Hammond with assurances, including that he was (and remains) an employee of Copper Technologies (UK) Ltd.
7 Nov	Letter from the Registrar concluding his investigation.

7 November 2023

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyistsoffice@orcl.gov.uk