Sir Keir Starmer faces more controversy as his new City minister is accused of conflict of interest over China lobbying

As his new city minister is charged with a conflict of interest due to previous lobbying in China, Sir Keir Starmer is embroiled in scandal.

Despite her history as a lobbyist advocating for more lenient regulations on Beijing currency, Downing Street yesterday declined to confirm if Emma Reynolds will have a voice in China policy.

The PM has come under fire from the Conservatives for not doing more to stop lobbyists from switching between the government and large corporations.

Following Tulip Siddiq’s resignation due to a corruption investigation involving her family in Bangladesh, Ms. Reynolds was given the influential Treasury position.

Prior to this, she was a prominent member of TheCityUK, a banking lobby group that opposed stricter regulations on Chinese companies.

According to Bloomberg, the Wycombe MP even argued that China shouldn’t be subject to rigorous enhanced tier inspection since it may deter investment.

Despite repeatedly refusing to specify whether she will be excluded from decisions pertaining to China, No. 10 said she offers a plethora of knowledge.

The dispute arises as Labour seeks to strengthen its economic connections with China.

In a letter to Treasury officials last night, Shadow Treasury Minister Nigel Huddleston demanded clarification, stating that Ms. Reynolds must abstain from any decisions pertaining to China.

According to what he wrote, the prime minister has stated his desire to stop “the revolving door between government and the companies they regulate.”

Therefore, this appointment is unexpected, but considering this promise, I’m confident you’ll agree that I require precise answers to the points I raised above.

China will be rubbing their hands, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader and China hawk, recently told The Sun.

This appears to be the most recent phase of Project Kowtow if she is not excused.