Summary of business appointments applications - Alistair Burt
Updated 11 February 2015
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Alistair Burt left his role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in October 2013.
1. Non Executive Director, President Energy
Mr Burt sought permission to take up a position as a Non Executive Director for President Energy Plc, an independent, international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on South America.
The Committee advised him that it saw no reason why he should not take up the position, subject to the following conditions:
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He should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
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For two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of President Energy or its clients.
The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Burt in January 2015 and he took up the appointment in February 2015.
2. Commissions with Global Partners Governance Practice Ltd and Global GSA Group
In January 2014 Alistair Burt MP received permission from the Committee to set up as an independent consultant, to provide advice orally and in writing to assist with the overall appreciation and understanding of the economic and political environments in various countries. He then asked about accepting commissions with Global Partners Governance Practice Ltd (GPG) and Global GSA Group.
The Committee noted that Mr Burt had had no official contact with the Global GSA Group and, while he had been aware of GPG’s work with the FCO’s Arab Partnership whilst he was still in crown service and had met those involved in delivering programmes for the UK Government, he had made no executive decision on the awarding of any contract or grant.
The Committee agreed that the two commissions were permissible within the terms of his independent consultancy which are:
- that he should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
- for 12 months from his last day in ministerial office he should not undertake any work as a consultant which involves providing advice to any company or organisation on the terms of any bid or contract relating to the work of his former Department;
- for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new company or its clients; and
- once he received approval to set up as an independent consultant, for two years from his last day in ministerial office he must seek confirmation from the committee directly that each individual commission is permissible under the terms of his consultancy before taking it up. If, after enquiry, the Committee takes the view that a commission is, or may be, outside the terms of the consultancy he will be expected to submit a fresh application.
The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Burt in June 2014 and he took up the appointments that month.