Summary of Investigation – Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox, MP

Published on: Friday 17th March 2023

February to March 2023

Organisation or Person Investigated

Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox, MP (“Dr Fox”)

Matter(s) Investigated

Whether Dr Fox conducted unregistered consultant lobbying

Registrar’s Decision

Dr Fox is not a consultant lobbyist

Summary of Rationale for Decision

Payments to Dr Fox from Bradshaw Advisory Ltd, for his work for the Global Britain Commission were not paid to a VAT registered entity. Under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (“the Act”), registration under the Value Added Tax Act 1994 is one of three conditions that define consultant lobbying.

Chronology

Date	Action
28/02/23	Formal letter from the Registrar to Dr Fox giving background on the requirement for registering and asking if his activities fall within the criteria for registration. In particular, but not limited to, the Global Britain Commission and any of its funders.
09/03/23	Response from Dr Fox regarding his role as Chair of the Global Britain Commission.
14/03/23	Letter from the Registrar, requesting further information.
15/03/23	Response from Dr Fox, including that payment for his work for the Global Britain Commission was not made to a VAT registered entity.
17/03/23	Letter from the Registrar concluding the investigation.

17/03/23

Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists

office@orcl.gov.uk