David Taylor, chief executive of Enterprise Plc and part-time unpaid advisor to the government, has dismissed Conservative allegations of a conflict of interest between the two roles as “ludicrous”. But the more general issue of monitoring government advisors is expected to resurface later this year when the Nolan Committee revisits its review of ministers.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon – his first official one since the controversy broke over the weekend – Taylor said: “Frankly, the assertion is ludicrous. The help and advice I have given to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, and other ministers, since the Election is very much of a strategic nature and is concentrated on broad policy issues.”
He stated that both he and the Government are happy that no conflicts currently exist and predicted that: “should such a conflict arise, it would be dealt with in an honest and open manner.”
The debate was prompted by a letter from Opposition Environment Spokesman Christopher Chope to Prescott calling for David Taylor to sell 300,000 shares in Enterprise plc or stand down as a government advisor on regeneration and regional development agencies.
The Government is seeking to set up 10 RDAs and Enterprise – of which Taylor is chief executive – is expected to pitch for work. Chope alleges this could lead to a conflict of interest.
Last month Enterprise changed its name from Lancashire Enterprise and floated on AIM. At the time the company said the move was to give it a better platform to pitch for regeneration work outside the north-west.
Taylor is also widely tipped to replace Lord Walker as chairman of English Partnerships later this year. Earlier this year Enterprise was shortlisted by Speke Garston Development Company – a consortium comprising EP and Liverpool and Speke Councils – to redevelop the Bryant & May factory near the Airport. Instead Urban Splash was selected as preferred developer.
The issue is not likely to go away. EGi has learnt that the Nolan Committee plans to include government advisors in its review later this year into ministerial standards in political life amongst ministers.
The Committee’s first report on Ministers touched briefly on advisors and the possiblity of a conflict of interest but a spokesman told EGi that the follow-up review is expected to look at it in more detail.
This government and the previous one have a strong political commitment to the sale of surplus property and to PFI. This has seen a rapid growth in the number of property professionals called on to give expert advice to ministers.
EGi News 13/08/97
