Andrew Dunlop & David Cameron

 

 

7 October 1986: Hansard question – Andrew Dunlop identified as a SPAD

Mr. O’Neill: Asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what capacity Mr. Andrew Dunlop is working for his Department; what is his Civil Service status; if the normal rules of establishment have been waived in each case; for what duration he is employed; what are his duties; what payments he will receive from public funds; what is his grade; and what access to classified documents he is to be given.

Mr. Younger: Mr. Andrew Dunlop has been appointed as my special adviser. His role is to assist me on defence policy matters generally, with particular reference to their political aspects. His appointment has been made on the same basis as that of other special advisers, which is that for the period of his appointment he is a civil servant and is subject to the appropriate terms and conditions of service in force in the Civil Service. He will be paid by the Ministry of Defence at a rate on the grade 7 (principal) pay scale, currently £16,899 per annum. Mr. Dunlop has been subject to positive vetting and he will have access to official documents on a need-to-know basis.  http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1986/oct/27/mr-andrew-dunlop

 

Viscount George Younger

 
1987: Identified as, Scottish and right wing, Andrew Dunlop, together with John Houston, David Cameron and a few other bright young future leaders were transferred to 10 Downing Street to work for Margaret Thatcher’s inner cabinet. He left politics and formed his own consultancy in 1991. (But old friendships never die, see later)

 

John Houston

 

David Cameron & Mrs Thatcher
8 February 2002: Andrew Dunlop’s – Politics International – forms a working alliance with Scottish Agency – Pagoda PR

Andrew Dunlop’s, London-based lobbying shop, Politics International formed an alliance with Scotland-based Pagoda PR, formerly PS Communications. The agencies will jointly pitch for new business and embark on marketing initiatives. Pagoda is an Edinburgh-based PR and lobbying company run by the former head of the Institute of Public Relations Scotland Ian Coldwell.

 

  Former Edinburgh Council leader Keith Geddes

 

Sir Michael Hirst

 

 

2005: Pagoda PR ran into controversy in a conflict of interest case.

An argument over a lucrative contract involving some of Scotland’s highest-profile PR firms has landed on the desk of Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm.  It follows Edinburgh City Council’s decision to award a £250,000 deal to work on the Edinburgh housing stock transfer programme to Pagoda PR, based in Edinburgh.

Pagoda – chaired by former Tory minister Sir Michael Hirst and with former Edinburgh Council leader Keith Geddes as policy director – won a four-way pitch for the prestigious contract. However, concerns have been raised when it was revealed that Pagoda also listed Communities Scotland,  the stock transfer regulator, as one of their clients.

Pagoda had already undertaken a number of consultation programmes on housing stock transfer programmes throughout Scotland. The firm had worked with Scottish Borders Council from the initial tenant consultation through to a successful ballot in favour of transfer providing advice on public consultation, focusing on tenants and other stakeholders such as housing staff, voluntary agencies, elected members, community organisations and the wider public.

Pagoda worked with the Highland Council on 52 public meetings and roadshows consulting tenants on the options for future ownership and management of council housing,  and the firm was working with Inverclyde and Aberdeen City on a similar consultation and communication exercise.

Ian Coldwell, managing director of Pagoda, said he was awaiting confirmation from Edinburgh Council to confirm the housing transfer account was theirs. He said they no longer worked directly for Communities Scotland: “We carried out a short internal communications audit for Communities Scotland a year ago and are no longer retained by them. We do not see why this is in any way relevant. “We are extremely pleased to have won the Edinburgh tender. It is the latest of a number of communication contracts we have won against Beattie in recent months. We believe we have a very strong public sector offering and are disappointed that Beattie should choose to respond in this way.” A spokesperson for Communities Scotland confirms that Pagoda worked for them in 2003 on an internal communication project for their staff.

In April 2015 Pagoda bought fellow Scottish PR firm Porter Novelli International to form Pagoda Porter Novelli. They operate out of the existing Pagoda offices in Eyre Place, Edinburgh. Porter MD Angela Casey is the MD of the firm, Ian Coldwell, former MD of Pagoda, is deputy chairman and Sir Michael Hirst remains as Chairman.

 

Ian Coldwell & Angela Casey

 

Angela Casey is the managing director of the new company, Pagoda Porter Novelli, the firm created by the merger between Porter Novelli International and Pagoda Public Relations. She is the former managing director of Porter Novelli. Casey who is a former Conservative Party advisor, working ‘for a time with one of the sector’s largest practitioners, the London-based Westminster Strategy, where she spent four years. Before working for Mr Portillo, she was PA to Lynda Chalker MP between 1984 and 1987. She was formerly part of Countrywide Political, which then became part of GPC.

The CM Porter Novelli bio states: A former assistant to two government ministers, Angela Casey has worked in PR and public affairs in Westminster, Brussels and Scotland and has a background in PR and politics at national, UK and international levels. Angela is an expert in crisis and issues communications and has unparalleled experience in improving communication between business and politicians – she currently runs a number of high profile public affairs campaigns. Angela also has a track record of professional service PR having worked with a range of firms to raise their profile through thought leadership and commentary, including: Baker Tilly;  Fyfe Ireland WS;  WS Society and Hewlett Packard.  She has led many successful client programmes and has particular expertise in campaigning and public sector issues, having worked for OSCR, City of Edinburgh Council, VisitScotland and FETA. She is Chairman of the Scottish PRCA – the representative body for the PR industry; a past Convenor of the Association for Scottish Public Affairs; and a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) Scotland Committee.

 

John Houston( 2nd.right)

5 July 2002: Andrew Dunlop’s – PA shop Politics International – forms an alliance with Brussels lobbying firm – Houston Consulting Europe.

The firm this week announced a deal by which it will pitch for business and jointly market services with the Belgian shop. It marks another step in the company’s attempt to establish a Europe-wide lobbying network. Agency MD Andrew Dunlop and Houston founder John Houston said the arrangement would be exclusive but both firms would remain financially independent. They have known each other since they advised Thatcher’s Tory government – Dunlop to defence secretary George Younger and Houston to foreign secretary Geoffrey Howe. Houston clients include JP Morgan Chase. PI clients include Virgin Atlantic and shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft.

John Houston is considered one of the most influential financial sector lobbyists in Brussels. He is a former member of the Cabinet of the European Commissioner responsible for financial services and ran his own lobbying consultancy for many years until becoming a senior partner at public relations firm Kreab Gavin Anderson in 2008.

John Houston is a senior public affairs consultant and one of the most prominent Brussels consultants in the financial services policy field. has worked for most major banks at some point. He advised several of the world’s largest companies and financial institutions on EU matters. He has been in the consultancy business since 1988, initially in the City of London and since 1990 in Brussels. Previously, John was a member of the Cabinet of the European Commissioner responsible for financial services, a political journalist, and a special advisor to the British foreign minister. He was the founding chairman of the European Public Affairs Consultancies Association and sits on its management committee. According to the Financial News he was described by one banking sector public relations professional as the best industry lobbyist in Brussels.

 

John Houston

 

2005: Site identfying the worst examples of European Union Lobbying in the year.

Houston and his firm were nominated for the 2005 Worst Lobbying Awards, for their role ‘role running the European Parliamentary Financial Services Forum (EPFSF). The EPFSF brings together Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and lobbyists from Deutsche Bank, Citigroup, Société Générale and numerous other financial services giants. Their success was quoted in the Wall Street Journal, who describe how banking lobbyists used the EPFSF to water down the EU Money Laundering Directive, voted on in May this year’.
http://archive.worstlobby.eu/2005/nominees/houston.html

 

     
6 October 2008: Kreab Group has bought the Brussels based Houston Consulting Europe.

Houston merged with Kreab Brussels, (later Kreab & Gavin Anderson Worldwide) in September 2008. John Houston became a Senior Partner in Kreab Group and the combined Brussels team comprised more than 40 specialists.

Charlotte Erkhammar, CEO of Kreab. “For Kreab, this is a substantial step forward. Since we established our business in Brussels in 1992 we have grown to be a leading force in European Affairs. Acquiring Houston Consulting provides us with an opportunity to extend our expertise further.”

John Houston, Founder and CEO of Houston Consulting. “I am immensely pleased to be joining forces with Kreab, a company that shares a similar approach to building long-term relationships with clients. Our existing customers will now have access to a wider range of high quality services and the international reach of Kreab Group”.

Georg Danell, Managing Partner of Kreab Brussels: “With our combined offering we represent a formidable force in Brussels. In addition to our leading positions in other fields such as competition and environment, we can now add a very impressive capacity in financial sector issues. We are looking forward to developing the benefits that will result from joining together two highly skilled multi-cultural teams”. http://www.gorkana.com/news/all/general-news/kreab-acquires-houston-consulting-europe-2/

 

 

 

22 August 2011: Andrew Dunlop’s Interel (formerly Politics International Ltd, founded 1991) Shortlisted for Consultancy of the Year 2010/11

The ‘revolving door’ culture of business, lobbying and government sees senior political figures work on behalf of companies as lobbyists, often using political connections to gain political access.

Almost 20 years of Dunlop’s professional life is linked to a corporate lobbying company which he founded. In 1991 after leaving No 10 Downing Street, he founded and greatly expanded the lobbying firm Politics International (now Interel Consulting) in 1991. He  later coordinated a merger with Interel in July 2010.

After the merger in 2010  George McGregor was promoted internally to MD and Andrew Dunlop became Executive Chairman. The energised team won a series of major blue chip clients and increased turnover in the first six months of trading and added a slew of major names to the roster over the course of the year. The award entry is based on the outstanding success since it’s launch. The team was then strengthened with five additional consultants including senior advisors from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat election teams.

The company continues to provide political advice to major companies, including their relations with government. The Scotland Office did not comment on whether Dunlop’s work as a corporate lobbyist represents a conflict of interest in his new role by time of publication
Clients of Politics International:

Airtanker Ltd Amicus Healthcare Ascent Astrium Ltd BAA Stansted BACTA BALPPA BBCWorldwideBritish Horseracing BoardBritish Transport Police Authority BCP Ltd BT plc Careers England Chemical Industries Association, CIPD, Cory Environmental Ltd, Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, Covanta, Disability Rights Commission, DSG International, EADS, Fairbridge, General Healthcare Group, Independent Airport Park & Ride Association, Kapsch TrafficCom AG, Learning 21 Ltd, Local Government Association, Medical Research Council, Met Office, National Express Group, Paragon Group of Companies Plc, Peel Environmental Ltd, Portman Group, Regional Airports Ltd, SAB, Miller plc, Serco Integrated Transport, St John Ambulance, Total E&P UK plc, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, Virgin Management Ltd, VT Group Plc, Wellcome Trust, World Challenge Expeditions

Clients of Intelel:

Abellio, Baby Products Association, Balppa (British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers & Attractions Limited), Berwin Leighton Paisner, BMT, Careers Development Group, CH2M Hill, The Coca-Cola Company, Coca Cola Great Britain, Covanta Energy Ltd, Electricity North West, General Dynamics UK, Invensys plc, Kapsch TrafficCom AG, Manchester Airports Group, Mersey Gateway, A Nelson and Co Ltd, North Asset Management, Northrop Grumman, Oikos Storage Ltd, Paragon Group of Companies plc, Paypoint plc, Peel Environmental Ince Ltd , Peel Holdings (Land and Property) Ltd, Project Management Institute, SAAB Training Systems, SABMiller plc, Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited, St John Ambulance, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Management Ltd, Virgin Money Ltd, Virgin Trains, VT Defence, VT Government & Critical Services, VT Group plc, Wise Employment.

Major Players in the London Office:

 

Andrew Dunlop – Chief Executive Chairman – was born in Helensburgh, schooled in Glasgow and studied politics and economics at Edinburgh University under former Labour MP for Berwick and East Lothian and leading proponent of devolution, Professor JP MacIntosh. He founded Politics International Ltd. in 1991 and served as its Managing Director. Started his career in international banking, before joining the Conservative Research Department, first as an Adviser on Trade & Industry matters, and then as head of its Political Section. He went on to become Special Adviser to Sir George Younger and John Major. He graduated to Mrs Thatcher’s inner circle as one of the seven members of her “policy unit”, specialising in defence, employment, tax reform and Scotland. In that capacity, for two and a half year’s he played a key role in discussions over the introduction of the hated Poll Tax in Scotland in 1989 – a year earlier than the rest of Britain. He has worked for a broad range of clients, specialising in the transport, defence, and financial services sectors. He also advised clients involved in mergers and acquisitions, co-ordinating Politics International’s Competition & Regulation Practice. He graduated in economics from Glasgow University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in European Competition Law from King’s College, London. He has spent most of his working life south of the Border and is a well-known right wing Thatcherite in the Conservative power structure.

 

 

George McGregor

 

George McGregor – Managing Partner and Group Head of Public Affairs – Works with a range of blue chip clients providing strategic counsel, devising their public affairs strategies and lobbying campaigns. His client work won him a UK Campaign of the Year Award organised by Public Affairs News. He was Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Scotland (Helen Liddell) Having lead responsibility for ensuring partnership working between the UK Government and the Scottish executive, and shaped media strategy for the department. Served as a Member of Labour’s National Policy Forum, responsible for drafting sections of Labour’s Scottish manifesto for the 2001 General Election. Before that, he was head of policy for UNISON Scotland, an economist for the Employment Department and a researcher for a U.S. Congressman in Washington DC. George graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA (Hons) in Economics and Politics.

 

Stephen Edwards

 

Stephen Edwards – Deputy Managing Partner – Specialising in national and local public service delivery. He is also Group Head of Technology. He started his career as a researcher at the Foreign Policy Centre, the leading foreign policy think-tank, and at the Highways Agency. He has also worked in local government. He is a highly experienced public affairs operator with over twelve years of experience. His Mersey Gateway campaign won the CIPR PRiDE gold award in 2012, and he was short-listed for Public Affairs News Consultant of the Year in 2012. He holds an MSc in Politics from LSE.

 

Lee Whitehill

 

Lee Whitehill – Group Marketing Director – Worked for the Labour Party, before and during the 2005 General Election after which he joined Politics International as a Consultant of Politics, focusing on its defence and aerospace clients. Based in London where he now leads the consumer and leisure sector he has worked with a number of major clients in food and drink, customer services and technology. He has deep experience of defence and security and political campaigning. In 2010 he won the Public Affairs News campaign of the year award and has worked on a number of successful commercial procurements in defence and the emergency services. Before joining the company, he was Head of Campaigns and Media for Amicus, Britain’s largest private sector trade union where he dealt with a range of high profile national issues on behalf of the Union, at both a national and the European level.. He was a founding director of the Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation. He holds the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Diploma.

 

Katherine Morgan

 

Katherine Morgan – Director and Group Head of Financial Services – She has over seven years’ consultancy experience. She has provided strategic counsel and advice to a range of organisations from Blue Chip companies to trade bodies and charities. Her previous clients include RSA Insurance Group, EDF Energy, Network Rail, and Everything Everywhere. She has also successfully delivered lobbying campaigns for a wide range organisations from large national trade bodies to private equity groups and pension funds. Prior to consultancy, she worked for the civil service in the Treasury and European Commission for eight years. She worked on euro and macro-economic policy; health and expenditure policy and specialised in national and international taxation. She also worked for three years as the Private Secretary to a Minister of State, The Paymaster General. She has a BA in History and a Masters degree in European Politics and Policy from the LSE.

 

Oliver Waghorn

 

Oliver Waghorn – Corporate Communications and Public Policy, UK Ministry of Defence – Joined Interel in 2013 to head up the Defence and Security practice. Prior to joining the team he worked as a freelance public policy and political risk adviser supporting a range of corporate clients in the UK and overseas. Before that he was appointed as Special Adviser by the UK Prime Minister to the Ministry of Defence working in a range of policy areas including industrial policy, finance and trade. He brings with him extensive corporate communications skills, an in-depth understanding of Government policy and a detailed knowledge of the aerospace and defence sectors.

 

Stephen Bramall

 

Stephen Bramall – leads on transport in London – With over thirty five year’s experience of working in the transport sector, both within government and as a seasoned public affairs practitioner, he has unrivalled experience in developing comprehensive strategies to inform and shape transport policy and to manage campaigns to advance a client’s commercial interests. With significant experience of the various legislative processes, procurement procedures and stakeholder engagement strategies, He provides the highest level strategic counsel to transport interests, as well as providing hands on practical advice on the most effective way to inform and shape transport policy and procurement strategies.

 

Lindsey Paterson

 

Lindsey Paterson – leads on strategy and innovation across the Group – She works on a number of client accounts at a strategic level, particularly in relation to new technologies and digital campaigning and manages Interel’s digital and creative team. Her background spans both the private and the public sector – she has significant experience in public affairs in the UK and in the EU, as well as experience in development aid and of running her own business. She trained as a solicitor before being appointed Director, International at the Law Society of Scotland. She also ran a technical assistance programme at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which helped the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to join the EU. She lived in France for 10 years, where she started a business, and consulted for the European Commission, the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe and for Iconoculture, a global future trends consultancy.

 

Toby Kay

 

Toby Kay – leads Interel’s digital practice across the group – Works collaboratively with our offices around the globe. Responsible for developing Interel’s internal and external digital strategy, He also leads on key client projects and accounts. He has been working in digital since 1997. He started his career as a journalist for The Times before moving into digital strategy for News International. Since then he has headed digital departments a wide range of companies in the media and travel sectors. His previous campaign experience has been with organisations as diverse as Royal Mail, English National Opera and Thomas Cook. He holds a BA and an MA in English literature from Queen Mary’s, London University.

 

Bob Lewis

 

Bob Lewis – Group Head of Association Management practice – Provides strategic counsel to clients, specialising in certification programs, outreach campaigns, strategy and business development. With a 27 year management career spanning public (education), private and voluntary sectors, he has built a strong track record of highly effective leadership, advocacy and stakeholder management. Prior to assuming chairmanship, he was Interel’s Group Chief Operating Officer for 5 years. He has also held a number of voluntary positions including member of the Open University Governing Council and has contributed to a range of national and international advisory groups including the Africa Policy Advisory Group at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the New Deal Advisory Group at the Treasury, both for the UK government.

 

Mary McCue

 

Mary McCue – Director – Began her career in association management in 1989 as an International Marketing Specialist at Smith Bucklin & Associates in Washington DC, where she conducted worldwide export promotion programs under USDA grant funding for three associations in the agricultural commodities and agribusiness sectors. In 1993, she left Washington to launch Interel Association Management in Brussels, Belgium. During her tenure as Director of IAM Brussels from 1993-2001, she served as Executive Director or Marketing Director for six trade associations, one professional society and one international trade federation. The industry and professional sectors of her clients included food & agriculture, human resource management, strategic account management, telecommunications & enterprise computing, manufacturing & home textiles. In 2001, she moved to London as Managing Director of LoBue & Majdalany Association Management, tasked with setting up L&M’s newly formed UK subsidiary to serve two clients in the telecommunications and technology sectors. She returned to Interel Association Managemnent in October 2014 as a Director in the UK office. Before entering the association management profession, she worked in marketing for the translation division of Berlitz International and at the Institute of European Studies in Vienna, Austria. She has lived and worked in Europe for over 25 years. She holds an MBA (Merit) from Open University London and a B.A. in German from Rice University, Houston Texas.

 

Hannah Carmichael

 

Hannah Carmichael – Associate Director – With considerable experience of communications and event organisation in association management, she joined Interel in November 2011 and is currently focused on furthering the Project Management Institute strategy to develop awareness in large UK corporations. She previously worked for the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions prior to joining Interel successfully raising its profile in the UK and internationally. Within the leisure industry she has worked with a number of other professional and trade associations as well as key industry stakeholders and the UK government to deliver a consistent strategy across the tourism sector.

 

Brian Wadsworth

 

Brian Wadsworth – Associate Director – Formerly Director for Strategic Roads, Planning and National Networks at the Department for Transport. He is Chairman of the Board of the European Maritime Safety Agency and enjoys a global reputation in shipping following 10 years as Director of Logistics and Maritime Transport at the Department. He has extensive experience in transport privatisation and restructuring and led on the liberalisation of the rail freight sector and is a former advisor to the World Bank. He has also served as a Private Secretary to two Ministers of Transport.

 

Craig Stanley-Adamson

 

Craig Stanley-Adamson – Head of Research and Intelligence – Joined Interel in 2014. Leads the Research and Monitoring Team having spent the previous 2 years in policy research roles in the House of Commons and leading think tanks. Following the completion of his postgraduate studies in 2012, Craig interned at the United Nations Office in Geneva working on Mine Action across the world’s conflict zones and weapons conventions. He spent the next 12 months as assistant to two Conservative Party MPs in the House of Commons researching various current issues and Government policies. In 2013 Craig worked on UK foreign affairs policy at the Henry Jackson Society and UK tech policy at techUK. Craig completed a BA in History & International Relations in 2011 and a MA in International Security & Counter-terrorism in 2012.

 

Amanda Gdula

 

Amanda Gdula – Political Consultant – Joined Interel’s Defence and Security team in 2014 after completing her MA in War Studies at King’s College London. Previously, she worked providing in-house Government Relations insight at European defence contractors EADS and Thales. Before that, she supported clients in US local government, health, and defence at a Washington D.C. public affairs consulting firm. She brings a wealth of knowledge in policy analysis, strategic communications, and defence procurement to the Interel team. Prior to her studies in London, she conducted research at the International Institute for Counterterrorism in Herzliya, Israel. She holds a BA in International Relations and Marketing from American University in Washington D.C., and has completed language and economics coursework at universities in Italy and Argentina.

 

Anna Jobbing
Anna Jobbing – Consultant – Returned to Interel in May 2014 as a consultant, having previously completed a placement year in 2010 as a Monitoring and Research Assistant. She has valuable experience across both public affairs and PR after spending two years at a consultancy specialising in public policy campaigns. During this time she co-ordinated stakeholder engagement programmes and media delivery across a range of sectors, including education, finance and transport. Her clients included FTSE 100 companies, national charities and international organisations. She has also worked in the House of Commons for Glenda Jackson MP and in the communications department of Essex County Council.

 

Mike Blakeney

 

Mike Blakeney – Consultant – Joined Interel Consulting in September 2013 and works with clients spanning the consumer, leisure, tourism, energy and professional sectors. Prior to joining Interel he worked at Bell Pottinger and Good Relations. His work involved public affairs and communications campaigns for a range of clients including supermarket chain Waitrose and the Queen’s private estate, the Duchy of Lancaster. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in Politics from the University of Surrey in 2008 and later completed an MSc in Political Communication. During his MSc he was also involved with the campaign to get current UK Labour leader, Ed Miliband, elected in 2010.

http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=43281765&privcapId=41021328&previousCapId=41021328&previousTitle=Politics%2520International%2520Ltd.  _

http://www.interelgroup.com/where-we-work/uk/meet/

Interel Shortlisted for Consultancy of the Year

 

20 October 2011: British political scandal – The Atlantic Bridge Charity

Atlantic Bridge connected right-wing political groups in America and the UK, including senior economic and military figures. It claimed to be a charity and educational group.  Dunlop sat as a trustee on its board, before it was wound up following criticism of its activities by the Charity Commission.  The Commission demanded in 2010 that Atlantic Bridge’s  “current activities must cease immediately”  because  “the activities of the charity have not furthered any of its other charitable purposes in any way”.  Investigations into its conduct found that  “the activities of the charity are promoting a political policy which is closely associated with the Conservative Party”.

The Atlantic Bridge scandal resulted in the resignation of Liam Fox as a Tory minister.  Investigations focused on Adam Werritty (executive director of Atlantic Bridge) and his relationship with Fox. The role of Atlantic Bridge trustees in the scandal largely escaped scrutiny due to the distraction provided by the departure of Liam Fox..

 

Philip Hammond
24 October 2011: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Secretary, Philip Hammond recruits Interel consultant as special adviser (SPAD)

Graham Hook moved to Interel after the 2010 general election, having been an assistant director in the Conservative Party’s research department. At Conservative HQ,  Hook managed the ‘briefing team’, responsible for briefing David Cameron and members of the shadow cabinet for high-profile media appearances.  Graham Hook is to be a special adviser for the secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs Philip Hammond. He gets paid an annual salary of £65,000 for his special adviser role. He previously worked as a special adviser to Justine Greening in her role as transport secretary in October 2011.

 

Hague, Cameron, Osborne

 

18 March 2012: Cameron’s recruits old friend and colleague Andrew Dunlop as a SPAD to his referendum team

Andrew Dunlop, at 52 several years older than the Prime Minister and a genuine greybeard quietly left Interel. Recruited on a £74,000 salary as the Prime Minister’s personal adviser on Scottish affairs, with a special remit to help defeat independence. His links to the campaign are unlikely to improve relations between the UK Government and the Scottish Government or engeder trust and cooperation..

Yesterday SNP MSP Stuart Maxwell said: “Questions must be asked on what role a young Mr Dunlop – a policy adviser to Thatcher in tax reform and Scotland in the late Eighties – had in the implementation of the Poll Tax in Scotland. It is also interesting that the Prime Minister has employed a so-called expert on Scotland who lives in the south of England. The people of Scotland deserve transparent politicians, not Tories who don’t even live in the country they hope to rule over. Cameron’s new Thatcherite appointment will result in even more people opting for home rule with independence.”   http://www._express.co.uk/news/uk/308827/Questions-over-Cameron-s-new-independence-adviser-s-link-to-poll-tax

 

_

 

2 July 2012: Tory lobbyist Andrew Dunlop – the attorney general, the charity and a lucky escape

There is a epilogue to the saga of The Atlantic Bridge, the faux charity chaired by ex minister Liam Fox. It was wound up last year after complaints to the Charity Commission that its business was not charity but politics. The Trustees were Professor Patrick Minford, of Conservative Way Forward, Lord Astor of Hever and the Tory lobbyist Andrew Dunlop. Forgive them, said the commission; they didn’t know the law governing their responsibilities. And with the release of a supplementary report, we have a better sense of one of the factors the commission had to consider in deciding what to do about the misapplication of charitable funds and the possible recovery of those funds from the trustees themselves. For “such proceedings can only be brought with the consent of the attorney general”. No evidence of bad faith was found, the commission makes clear, so perhaps the issue is moot. But it would have been fascinating to see what Dominic Grieve would have done, had the hot potato of Tory charitable shenanigans reached his desk.

 

 

05 September 2013: Policymaker Roundtable with Andrew Dunlop

TheCityUK represents the UK-based financial and related professional services industry. We lobby on its behalf, producing evidence of its importance to the wider national economy. At home in the UK, in the EU and internationally, we seek to influence policy to drive competitiveness, creating jobs and lasting economic growth.

UK-based financial and related professional services contributed 12% of UK GDP in 2013. Over 2 million people work in the industry across the country, two thirds of whom are outside London. Our industry employs 7% of the population and they are the most productive jobs in the economy – 70% above the UK average. Foreign companies invested around £100bn into UK financial companies since the start of 2007, more than in any other sector. The UK is Europe’s financial centre and leads the way in international banking, fund management, international insurance, private equity and derivatives trading. The UK also holds a leading position in the delivery of accounting services, legal services and management consulting.

Our board, chaired by Sir Gerry Grimstone, Chairman, Standard Life, is responsible for developing our strategy and delivery. The President of the Advisory Council is the Lord Mayor of London. We are independent and politically neutral. Threatened to pull his company out of Scotland in the event of a Yes vote in the referendum.

Discussion-Synopsis

This is an opportunity to discuss the future of financial and related professional services in Scotland, their contribution to society and the economy, and an update on the political landscape as seen from Downing Street.

TheCityUK’s Policymaker Roundtable Series brings key policymakers together with senior industry representatives in a private setting, under the Chatham House Rule. The emphasis of these sessions is on finding solutions to policy issues through a candid exchange of views. http://www.thecityuk.com/events/latest-events/detail/policymaker-roundtable-with-andrew-dunlop

 

 

23 December 2013: Scotland slams UK-Spain independence ‘stitch-up

Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister, has accused the Spanish and British governments of “plotting hand-in-glove” to “stitch-up” Scotland ahead of its forthcoming referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

The comments were made on Saturday after it emerged that a Cabinet Office official working on Scottish constitutional issues and Andrew Dunlop, Downing Street’s Scotland adviser, were apparently invited to visit by the Spanish government.

Details of the trip were met with fury by Alex Salmond who lambasted the meeting as an attempt to sabotage the ‘pro-independence campaign, which he leads. He told the Scottish Sunday Herald: “David Cameron’s Spanish stitch-up exposes the fact that anything the Prime Minister of Spain says about Scotland is at the behest of the Westminster Tory government. “We now know that the Prime Minister sanctioned Downing Street plotting with their Spanish counterparts to interfere in Scotland’s referendum, and they are clearly working hand in glove.” The trip follows damaging comments by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy about Scotland’s EU membership in the case of a vote for national independence.

 

 

 

 

13 Jan 2014 Point of Order Andrew Dunlop – Hansard

Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. At Prime Minister’s questions last week, the Prime Minister said, in relation to the Scottish independence referendum, that the subject was one for “debate among the people in Scotland.”

However, we have learned that a Cabinet Office official working on Scottish constitutional issues and Andrew Dunlop, who is Downing street’s Scotland adviser, have been co-ordinating in Madrid with the Spanish Government in opposition to independence. Meanwhile, the official ITAR-TASS News Agency has cited a source in the Prime Minister’s office as confirming a desire in Whitehall for Russian support in opposition to Scottish independence. What options are open to Members to scrutinise UK Government special advisers, given the Prime Minister’s assurances that the issue is one for debate among the people in Scotland?

Mr Speaker: Order. First, Ministers are of course responsible for the accuracy of what they say in the House, in common with all other Members. Secondly, the hon. Gentleman asks what avenues are open to Members to enable them to scrutinise special advisers and undertake scrutiny more widely. The answer is that there are manifold mechanisms available to them, including the use of the Order Paper and, dare I say it, the ingenious, and some might think occasionally outrageous, deployment of bogus points of order.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140113/debtext/140113-0002.htm

 

 

26 January 2014: Cables reveal UK pressured 28 countries and their leaders to oppose Scottish independence including Putin

A Foreign Office department ostensibly set up to promote the Scottish Government’s interests is being used against it in the independence referendum, diplomatic cables have revealed. The Devolution Unit, created by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 2012 to deliver abroad the “utmost co-operation”, now appears to be at the heart of Westminster’s anti-independence drive, amassing hostile reactions from overseas.

It is understood the FCO has contacted the governments of China, Russia, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the 28 EU nations about the Scottish referendum in a global search for allies who might oppose independence. One recent cable showed UK embassies being ordered to forward a Westminster paper critical of independence “to their host governments and other local contacts” and then feed their comments back to the Devolution Unit “ASAP”. It would help the Unionist cause if countries raised their concerns about an independent Scotland joining international bodies such as the EU and Nato.

The action is in spite of Prime Minister David Cameron insisting that September’s poll is purely “a debate between Scots” – the argument he uses for refusing to debate with Alex Salmond. The First Minister yesterday issued a fresh challenge to debate to Cameron, saying he had “a responsibility to let people hear his case for the No campaign and for Scotland remaining under Westminster control”.

The Sunday Herald has already revealed two examples of Westminster discussing independence with foreign governments. In December, Downing Street’s Scotland adviser Andrew Dunlop and a Cabinet Office official flew to Madrid to discuss the referendum with Mariano Rajoy’s government. With the visit coming soon after Rajoy had undermined the SNP by warning an independent Scotland would be left outside the EU, Alex Salmond accused the Spanish prime minister of plotting a “stitch-up” with Cameron. The Sunday Herald also revealed how Russia’s top news agency had reported Cameron’s office was “extremely interested” in getting president Vladimir Putin’s support for a No vote. The SNP last night said the Devolution Unit’s behind-the-scenes activity was “a disgrace”.

The Unit’s head, Annie McGee, a former vice-consul in Madrid, appeared at Holyrood’s European and External Relations Committee last July and told MSPs: “Our focus is on working with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on their foreign policy interests. I make sure visits overseas run smoothly and that there is the utmost co-operation with our posts. We work with colleagues in the Scottish Government … to ensure areas of interest are explored as they should be.” Europe Minister David Lidington told MSPs at the same session the Unit was about co-operation. “We are building a working culture between the United Kingdom Government and the devolved administrations in which we co-operate effectively on European policy,” he said. “The Unit … gives a bit more focused support to that co-ordination role, particularly with regard to the interests of the devolved administrations.”

However, official UK government material suggests that, far from advancing the Scottish Government’s case, or remaining neutral, the Devolution Unit is actively engaged in promoting Westminster’s desire for a No vote. Last week, after Foreign Secretary William Hague launched the latest in Westminster’s Scotland Analysis papers on the problems which could face an independent Scotland, the FCO sent a diplomatic telegram, or “Diptel”, message about the document to its staff overseas.

The Sunday Herald has seen its content. It said: “EU Posts are requested to circulate the paper ASAP to their host govts & other local contacts. “Other posts particularly Washington, Ottawa, Canberra, Wellington & UK Rep Brussels may wish to do so. “You should refer to previous FCO guidance sent to Posts on how to present the referendum work. “Report back to DEVO UNIT, FCO. Other local reaction (public or private) ASAP.”

Other Diptel messages released to the pro-Yes National Collective group under Freedom of Information also show the Unit acting as a clearing house for reactions from overseas governments to Scottish independence. Angus Robertson, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said: “In public David Cameron has pledged that the referendum is for people in Scotland. “In private he’s using UK diplomats around the world to support the ‘no’ campaign. “Governments internationally have said they won’t get involved in this democratic debate in Scotland. “It’s a disgrace that the Prime Minister is breaking his word, encouraging foreign interventions while running scared of a debate with First Minister Salmond.”

A Westminster source said the SNP’s attack was “frankly quite ludicrous”, as Salmond was in regular touch with other governments, and it was routine for the Westminster government to share information abroad, “especially about issues that have ramifactions outwith the UK”. A Downing Street spokesman added: “The SNP can debate about debates all they like. We are getting on with informing the debate with detailed analyses so that people can decide.”  http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a0f_1402218132#SZ1w4rDS1LXVkrIW.99

 

 

11 September 2014: Background guy plays major role in fightback against Yes camp

The business fightback against Scottish independence has been organised from behind a desk in 10 Downing Street by a former aide to Margaret Thatcher with a minimal public persona.

Andrew Dunlop, a Jaguar-driving rightwinger who advised the Iron Lady on tax reform at the time of the poll tax, is one of the least recognisable figures in the coalition. But he has played a major role in attempts to persuade executives to air their concerns publicly about a Yes vote.

A Number 10 aide refused to give the FT even basic facts about Mr Dunlop: “He is a background guy,” he insisted. The bearded Mr Dunlop, who is in his fifties, comes from Glasgow but now lives on the edge of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex. That is some 450 miles away from Edinburgh, a point made by the Scottish National party, which criticised the “Thatcherite appointment” when it was made in early 2012. Since then, Mr Dunlop has been an influential Tory voice in cross-party Better Together negotiations and in encouraging the corporate world to come off the fence.

Lauren McEvatt, until recently a special adviser in the Welsh Office, said Mr Dunlop was “unbelievably calm” and thoughtful. “He is the kind of guy who sees the whole chess board rather than the individual pieces.” As a young man Mr Dunlop was special adviser to George Younger, the former defence secretary. Afterwards he joined Thatcher’s policy unit, working alongside others including David Cameron, Andrew Lansley and Lord Hill, Britain’s new European commissioner. Mr Dunlop subsequently advised two other Tory leaders, John Major and Michael Howard, on Scotland.

Like Lord Hill – who founded Quiller Associates – he also set up his own lobbying firm, Politics International, which specialised in “blue-chip” clients. He co-founded the firm in 1991 and sold it, for nearly £3m upon which it was rebranded Interel Consulting. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7d5d3d0a-39be-11e4-93da-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3auRhN2Qq

 

 

 

 

2015: George McGregor – Iterel – The Sales Pitch – Managing Partner and Group Head of Public Affairs

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2015: European Lobbying Consultancies

 

 

EurActiv estimates that over 10,000 European Public Affairs specialists are active in Brussels. These include organisations providing monitoring, information, research, communication and lobbying services. They have become indispensable partners of the European civil society, now recognized to include also business circles. These specialists work mainly for three categories of the “Community of EU Actors (TM)” EU-level trade federations (ca 3,000), direct corporate representations (ca 300), and numerous consultancies under the category Professionals. Consultancies tend to work with all EU Actors; they range from global full-service networks with an EU affairs subsidiary to individual experts. http://www.euractiv.com/consultancies

 

 

 

2015: Dunlop family – Genealogy      http://www.thepeerage.com/p39337.htm