The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists uses cookies to make the site work better for you. Some of these cookies are essential to how the site functions and others are optional. Optional cookies help us remember your settings, measure your use of the site and personalise how we communicate with you. Any data collected is anonymised and we do not set optional cookies unless you consent.
Based on assurances received, BIC has not conducted unregistered consultant lobbying activity.
Summary of rationale for decision
Based on substantive and unequivocal written information from BIC, no registerable communications have taken place. Where BIC provides secretariat services for All-Party Parliamentary Groups (“APPGs”), all communications with ministers are undertaken by APPG parliamentary officers.
Under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union administration Act (2014), a registrable communication is made by a VAT registered company or individual communicating with a Minister, Permanent Secretary (or equivalent) on behalf of a paying client. BIC provided assurance that no such communication has taken place.
Chronology
Date
Action
9 May
Article in The Guardian regarding an event hosted by the APPG on Blockchain.
19 May
Letter from the Registrar giving background on the requirement for registering and requesting information regarding BIC’s client communications.
8 June
Re-sent letter of 19 May, following no response.
20 June
Registrar letter to the APPG on Blockchain’s former Vice Chair regarding no response from BIC.
21 June
Email from the former Vice Chair to BIC, copied to the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, asking them to respond.
18 July
Re-sent letter of 19 May, following no response.
18 July
Initial response from BIC saying a proper response would come in the next few days.
10 August
Formal investigation letter from the Registrar giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if BIC’s activities fall within the criteria to be registered with particular reference to, but not limited to, any communications made on behalf of APPGs.
5 Sept
Registrar issues a formal Information Notice, following no response.
26 Sept
Email response from BIC.
3 Oct
Letter from Registrar with a follow up question.
3 Oct
Email response from BIC.
6 Oct
Email from Office with a follow up question regarding ministerial contact by an APPG.
9 Oct
Email response from BIC.
23 Oct
Letter from Registrar concluding his investigation.