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Summary of investigation – Lord Dannatt

Published on: Thursday 8th May 2025

March – May 2025

Organisation or person investigated

The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC (“Lord Dannatt”)

Matter(s) investigated

Whether Lord Dannatt conducted unregistered consultant lobbying

Registrar’s decision

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

Summary of rationale for decision

Based on substantive and unequivocal written information provided, Lord Dannatt did not receive payment for the meeting on 27 June 2022, whether as an individual or through a company. He has therefore not conducted unregistered consultant lobbying in relation to the matter under investigation.

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.

Chronology

DateAction
14 MarchArticle in The Guardian regarding Lord Dannatt.
19 MarchFormal letter from the Registrar to Lord Dannatt giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if activities, whether individually or through a company, fall within the criteria to be registered with particular reference to, but not limited to, two communications.
29 MarchEmail from Lord Dannatt to the Registrar stating that the first communication pre-dates the Act and giving further information regarding a meeting with a Departments of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy minister on 27 June 2022. Lord Dannatt stated that both communications were unpaid.
8 AprilLetter from the Registrar to Lord Dannatt requesting further information about his or his company’s arrangements with Law Fertilisers.
11 AprilEmail from Lord Dannatt giving further detail including that paid work started subsequent to completion of government engagement.
15 AprilLetter from the Registrar to Lord Dannatt requesting further information regarding the contract or terms under which Lord Dannatt’s company, Mill House Partners, was paid.
23 AprilEmail from Lord Dannatt to the Registrar providing detailed information on his relationship with Law Fertilisers and with UK Nitrogen.
29 AprilLetter from the Registrar to Lord Dannatt requesting details of invoice dates and the periods and services that they covered.
2 MayEmail from Lord Dannatt to the Registrar providing invoice details.
8 MayLetter from the Registrar concluding his investigation.

8 May 2025

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk