Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Stephen O'Brien

Published 31 March 2014

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acoba-recommendation-rt-hon-stephen-obrien-mp-parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state-dfid/summary-of-business-appointments-applications-stephen-obrien

Stephen O’Brien left his role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DFID, in September 2012.

1. Commission with UK Broadband

Mr O’Brien sought permission to accept a commission with UK Broadband, as an independent consultant.

The Committee agreed that this commission was acceptable within the terms of his previously agreed independent consultancy, and subject to the same conditions. These conditions were:

  • he should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in Government including as the Prime Minister’s Envoy and Special Representative;

  • for two years from his last day in office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new company or its clients; and

  • once he has received approval to set up as an independent consultant, for two years from his last day of service 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 O’Brien in April 2014 and he took up the commission that month.

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