UK lobbying regulator probes former PM Cameron for second time this year- FT

FILE PHOTO: Former British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves his home in London, Britain May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

(Reuters) - Former British prime minister David Cameron is being investigated for the second time this year by the lobbying regulator over whether he should have registered as a consultant lobbyist, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

According to the newspaper, the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is investigating Cameron "in relation to potential unregistered consultant lobbying."

A formal inquiry began around Aug. 2, the FT said, citing documents.

Cameron has come under pressure in recent months after it was revealed that he lobbied ministers and senior officials repeatedly over access for now-collapsed supply chain finance firm Greensill Capital, to the government's pandemic funding schemes during a four-month period in 2020.

A parliamentary committee said in July that he had shown a "lack of judgement" in using personal contacts and informal channels to lobby for the firm.

The latest investigation began following reports earlier this year that Cameron had lobbied the then health secretary, Matt Hancock, and the then vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, on behalf of U.S. biotech company Illumina, according to the FT.

The office of the registrar did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)