Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Esther McVey

Updated 4 April 2022

Rt Hon Esther McVey left her role as Minister of State for Employment in May 2015.

1. Chair, British Transport Police Authority

Ms McVey sought advice on a role as Chair of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), the independent body responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force for rail operators, their staff and passengers.

The Committee noted its concern that this appointment was announced before it had the opportunity to provide its advice. Had the appointment not been announced before the Committee could offer its advice, the Committee would have advised that it saw no reason why she should not take up the appointment subject to the following conditions:

• she should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister; and
• while the Committee recognised that her responsibilities as Chair will include representing BTPA in discussions with the Department for Transport, she should not otherwise, for two years from her last day in ministerial office, become involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of BTPA.

The Committee wrote its letter to Ms McVey in December 2015.

2. Special Advisor, Floreat Group

Ms McVey sought advice on accepting a part time role as a Special Advisor with Floreat Group, an independent private investment office.

The Committee noted that Ms McVey did not have any direct dealings with the organisation or any of their competitors while in post, and that her former department had no concerns with this appointment.

The Committee advised Ms McVey that it saw no reason why she should not take up the appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• She should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her in her time as a Minister;

• For two years from her last day in ministerial office she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the organisations to which this advice refers, their parent companies, subsidiaries or clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Ms McVey in November 2015 and she took up the appointment that month.

3. Senior Consultant, Hume Brophy

Ms McVey sought advice on accepting a part time role as a Senior Consultant for Hume Brophy, an international communications firm.

The Committee noted that Ms McVey did not have any direct dealings with the organisation or any of their competitors while in post, and that her former department had no concerns with this appointment.

The Committee noted that her role would involve having responsibility for communications, media strategy and planning for clients. Given the nature of the work that Hume Brophy carry out, the Committee particularly stressed the lobbying ban in relation to this appointment.

The Committee advised Ms McVey that it saw no reason why she should not take up the appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• She should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her in her time as a Minister;

• For two years from her last day in ministerial office she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the organisations to which this advice refers, their parent companies, subsidiaries or clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Ms McVey in November 2015 and she took up the appointment that month.

4. Visiting Lecturer, University of Liverpool

Ms McVey sought to accept a position as a visiting lecturer with the university , working for one day per month.

The Committee noted that Ms McVey did not have any direct dealings with the organisation or any of their competitors while in post, and that her former department had no concerns with this appointment.

The Committee advised Ms McVey that it saw no reason why she should not take up the appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• She should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her in her time as a Minister;

• For two years from her last day in ministerial office she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the organisations to which this advice refers, their parent companies, subsidiaries or clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Ms McVey in November 2015 and she took up the appointment that month.

5. Fellowship, University of Hull

Ms McVey sought to engage in a fellowship with the University of Hull, which would involve a time commitment of around five days per month.

The Committee noted that Ms McVey did not have any direct dealings with the organisation or any of their competitors while in post, and that her former department had no concerns with this appointment.

The Committee advised Ms McVey that it saw no reason why she should not take up the appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• She should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her in her time as a Minister;

• For two years from her last day in ministerial office she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the organisations to which this advice refers, their parent companies, subsidiaries or clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Ms McVey in November 2015 and she took up the appointment that month.