Summary of investigation – Centaurus Communications Ltd

Published on: Monday 20th May 2024

April – May 2024

Organisation or person investigated

Centaurus Communications Ltd (“Centaurus”)

Matter(s) investigated

Whether Centaurus conducted unregistered consultant lobbying

Registrar’s decision

Based on assurances and information provided, Centaurus has not conducted unregistered consultant lobbying in relation to the matter under investigation.

Summary of rationale for decision

Under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, (“the Act”), 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.

Based on substantive written information provided, Centaurus was not paid for its role in the meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business for Walker Morris.

Chronology

Date	Action
18-10-23	Meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business with Centaurus, Walker Morris and others.
30-04-24	Formal letter from the Registrar to Centaurus giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if their activities fall within the criteria to be registered with particular reference to, but not limited to, their role in the ministerial meeting on 18 October 2024 on behalf of Walker Morris.
15-05-24	Email from Centaurus explaining they had invited the Minister to an event hosted by Walker Morris. Centaurus provided substantive assurances that Walker Morris is not their client and that no unregistered consultant lobbying has taken place.
20-05-24	Letter from the Registrar concluding the investigation.

20 May 2024

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk