LONDON – Swapping contact cards over canapes, cozy chats at lavish lunches — in the wake of a scandal over a defense minister who offered his friend access to overseas visits and meetings, Britain is tightening rules on those who seek to win influence over lawmakers.
Liam Fox stepped down as defense secretary on Friday amid scrutiny of the role of Adam Werritty, a close friend who had posed as an aide, arranged private meetings and held talks with foreign dignitaries on at least 18 trips overseas.
Werritty, a former defense lobbyist and the best man at Fox’s 2005 wedding, had no official government position but was a constant presence at the minister’s side — leaving some overseas governments convinced he was an aide.
The fact he was funded by a circle of businessmen, some of whom had ties to Sri Lanka or promoted links between Israel and Britain, has raised questions over what the public should know about those who mingle with ministers.
A government inquiry published Monday found Werritty was not employed as a lobbyist, and said that both he and Fox had insisted he had not used his access to advance his clients’ interests.
But it also urged the government to press
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