Lisa Nandy was forced to apologise for failing to declare donations from the new football regulator yesterday as the Conservatives called for a new sleaze probe.
The Culture Secretary confirmed that the funding given to Labour by David Kogan was discussed in his interview for the £130,000 role.
An independent investigation found Ms Nandy ‘unknowingly’ breached the public appointments code by failing to declare she had received donations totalling £2,900 from Mr Kogan.
Following its conclusion, Sir Keir Starmer reprimanded her by saying ‘the process followed was not entirely up to the standard expected’ but said she had ‘acted in good faith’.
Ms Nandy told the BBC‘s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: ‘I’ve said hands up, this was not a perfect process, and all of those mistakes, I take full responsibility for. I apologise for them and, more importantly, I’ll put in place processes to make sure that doesn’t happen again.’
However, the Conservatives have demanded a further investigation.
The party’s chairman Kevin Hollinrake has written to Daniel Greenberg, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, calling for a probe into how Mr Kogan was appointed ‘without disclosing his significant donations’ to Ms Nandy.
Mr Hollinrake pointed out that she registered a donation from Mr Kogan for £1,450 and one from David Kogan Ltd for £1,450 in 2020. Both were below £1,500, the figure above which donations must be declared – but only if they come from separate sources.
Lisa Nandy was forced to apologise for failing to declare donations from the new football regulator yesterday as the Conservatives called for a new sleaze probe
Ms Nandy confirmed that the funding given to Labour by David Kogan was discussed in his interview for the £130,000 role as football regulator
He said these were ‘clearly’ the same source, noting it would constitute a breach of the code if there was an attempt to ‘conceal’ the gift.
Mr Hollinrake added: ‘David Kogan’s appointment raises serious questions about how these donations were handled and the judgment of those involved in related appointments.’
Last night, Mr Kogan, who will work three days a week in his new role, said: ‘I committed to be completely politically impartial when the select committee interviewed me and have ended all connections with the Labour Party.
‘I have also reached out to the main opposition parties to discuss the vital, politically neutral work the regulator is engaged in.’
