Labor calls for investigation of David Cameron lobbying Rishi Sunak for Covid loans

Labor requested an investigation into the reports David Cameron press Rishi Sunak granting millions of pounds in loans to a finance company he advised.
The Sunday Times said the former prime minister sent a number of text messages to the Chancellor’s private phone requesting support for Greensill through the government’s Covid Business Funding Mechanism (CCFF).
The newspaper said most messages went unanswered and the company ultimately went bankrupt after its loan application was rejected.
He said Mr. Sunak allegedly supported officials who felt the company did not qualify for the program.
He allegedly referred Mr Cameron to senior Treasury officials.
Those contacted by the former prime minister would include Tom Scholar, the permanent secretary, and Charles Roxburgh, the second permanent secretary.
The Treasury subsequently made the final decision to deny the company’s claim.
For Labor, fictitious Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said: “Rishi Sunak already had questions to answer as to why Greensill has had so much more access to the Treasury than other Covid lenders.
“The suggestion that David Cameron also contact the Chancellor directly to promote Greensill’s business interests raises even greater concerns.
“It’s public money, and the processes involved in decision-making must be completely transparent and irreproachable. We need a full and thorough investigation of what happened here.
A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “Treasury officials regularly meet with stakeholders to discuss our economic response to Covid.
“The meetings in question focused on expanding the scope of CCFF to allow access for supply chain finance providers, which – following a call for evidence and discussions with several other companies in the sector – we decided against and informed the companies concerned. “
The Sunday Times said Mr Cameron did not respond to a request for comment.