UK politicians caught in sting for lucrative second jobs with fictitious South Korean consultancy
- The issue of Conservative MPs taking second jobs has been provoking fresh controversy as Britons endure the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades
- Tory ministers were shown negotiating a daily rate of US$12,000 to advise a consultancy purportedly based in Seoul that was set up by Led By Donkeys
A senior British minister on Sunday defended former cabinet colleagues after they were shown negotiating top-dollar rates to work on the side for a fake South Korean consultancy.
The sting operation by the anti-Brexit group Led By Donkeys, which targeted former finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng among others, exposed nothing illegal.
But the issue of Conservative MPs taking lucrative second jobs with companies has been provoking fresh controversy as Britons endure the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
Kwarteng’s involvement in particular focused anger, after he and short-lived prime minister Liz Truss triggered a crash on financial markets that drove up borrowing costs for millions last year.
He and former health secretary Matt Hancock were shown separately negotiating a daily rate of £10,000 (US$12,000) to advise a sham consultancy purportedly based in Seoul that was set up by Led By Donkeys.
“On this occasion, I think it is pretty clear that things that were offered and considered were within the rules,” cabinet member Michael Gove told Sky News.