Conservative MP George Freeman has referred himself over lobbying claims following reports he sought help from a company to draft parliamentary questions. The allegations, published by the Sunday Times, suggest Freeman worked closely with an environmental firm while preparing inquiries for ministers.
According to the report, Freeman allegedly asked GHGSat, a satellite monitoring company, for guidance on what questions to submit. Furthermore, he reportedly requested assistance to “get the wording right” before converting it into formal parliamentary language.
Freeman previously served as science minister under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. After joining GHGSat as an advisor in 2024, he earned £5,000 monthly for eight hours of work. However, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) warned him against lobbying the government on the company’s behalf.
Freeman strongly denies any wrongdoing. He claims he routinely consults experts for technical clarity. Additionally, he expressed concern over what he called “unauthorized access” to his emails, stating he reported the matter to police.
Despite his defense, Freeman has referred himself over lobbying claims to the parliamentary standards commissioner. He insists he will accept the commissioner’s judgment once the investigation concludes.
Opposition parties have demanded action. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats urge Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to suspend Freeman during the probe. Meanwhile, Tory shadow minister Helen Whately described the allegations as “shocking” but declined further comment while the inquiry continues.
This case raises concerns about corporate influence in politics. Since Freeman referred himself over lobbying claims, scrutiny over MPs’ second jobs has intensified. Transparency campaigners argue stricter rules are needed to prevent conflicts of interest.
The standards commissioner will now assess whether Freeman breached parliamentary rules. If found guilty, he could face sanctions ranging from public reprimand to suspension. Meanwhile, the controversy adds pressure on the Conservative Party ahead of the next general election.
As the investigation unfolds, the public will watch closely. Freeman’s decision to refer himself over lobbying claims highlights the ongoing debate over ethics in Westminster. Whether he is cleared or penalized, this case may prompt calls for tighter regulations on MPs’ outside interests.
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