Following The Sunday Telegraph’s investigation
into the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) and former
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Paul Bristow CMPRCA, Chair, Public Affairs
Board, said:
“Each and every story like this raises the same issue: transparency
rules need to be reformed because – as the public perceive it – there is
a very little openness in politics.
“Ethics is a two-way street: non-disclosure is against the regulated
public affairs and lobbying industry’s own rules. The fact that Tony
Blair Associates acted in accordance with the ACOBA guidelines puts the
clear onus on the Government and Parliament to use this as opportunity
for reform.
“It is not about ‘uncovering scandal’ or ‘exposing links’: it’s simply
about openness and directly addressing critics who have long-relied on
this part of the system to attack politicians and businesses.”
Public Affairs Board responds to ACOBA and Tony Blair disclosure
