STARMER PRESS CHIEF IN LOBBYING ROW OVER HORSE RACING TAX BREAK
Sir Keir Starmer’s press chief is at the centre of a lobbying row over a Budget tax break for the horse racing industry.
The Tories have demanded an investigation into whether Tim Allen broke ethics rules through his part-ownership of a lobbying firm.
Mr Allan has a minority stake in Strand Partners and still discusses government matters with a senior consultant at the company.
One of Strand’s clients is the British Horseracing Authority, which has campaigned for exemptions to higher taxes.
The Telegraph disclosed earlier this month that horse racing will be spared when Chancellor Rachel Reeves uses the Nov 26 Budget to put up gambling taxes.
The Chancellor will protect the industry from a broader raid on betting, with increased taxes focusing on slot machines in bookmakers’ shops and online gaming.
Sky News said it had been told by multiple sources that Mr Allan, the government’s director of executive communications, has discussed government affairs and politics with Tom Baldwin, a consultant for Strand Partners, since he joined No 10 in September.
Downing Street said the pair spoke in Mr Baldwin’s capacity as a journalist.
There is no suggestion that Mr Baldwin, who is not a lobbyist, or Strand Partners have done anything wrong.
However, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have called for an investigation into whether Mr Allan has breached the special adviser code.
Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory chairman, said: “[There] should be a full Cabinet Office investigation. I think the public needs to see there are no conflicts of interest and no perceived conflicts of interest, and that’s not where we are right now.”
Lisa Smart, a Lib Dem frontbencher, added: “I’ve written to the Cabinet Secretary today because this appears to be a clear conflict of interest right at the heart of government.
“It cannot be the case that the executive director of communications for the government has shareholdings in a lobbying firm and is continuing to have conversations with senior consultants at that firm.”
A member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee told Sky News: “This is a massive conflict of interest when we promised integrity to the British public. The first thing he has to do is give up his shareholding.”
Mr Baldwin is also Sir Keir’s biographer. As part of his role for Strand Partners, he has spoken at private briefings for Strand’s corporate clients about the inner workings of government.
Mr Allan is bound by the code of special advisers that says: “Special advisers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their official duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.”
It adds: “Special advisers must not misuse their official position or information acquired in the course of their official duties to further their private interests or those of others.”
The lobbying register reveals that Strand Partners’ clients include Uber, Cadent Gas and Multiverse, the firm set up by Sir Tony Blair’s son Euan.
Another is the British Horseracing Authority, which runs the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group for racing and bloodstock.
It is understood that Mr Baldwin and Mr Allan do not discuss Strand Partners business.
Mr Allan has undertaken not to take dividends or get involved in the running of the company while he is in government, and resigned as chairman on his appointment to No 10 at the start of September.
‘Lots of questions still to be asked’
Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, said: “I think it’s extraordinary that someone still has shares who’s at the heart of Downing Street … I think there’s lots of questions still to be asked, I think it’s important to know what these supposed appropriate mitigations are, what exactly are those and do they pass the public sniff test?”
Since Mr Allan took up his role, Mr Baldwin has been allowed by Treasury officials in Downing Street to attend at least one restricted event with Ms Reeves, her news conference on the Budget last week.
Mr Allan denies knowing about this in advance and said this was part of a multi-interview feature for a newspaper, but it is a sign of how close Mr Baldwin is with members of the government.
A Labour spokesman said: “The allegation that Tim Allan has done anything to benefit Strand whilst in Number 10 is categorically false.
“Tom Baldwin is an established journalist, author and commentator, who regularly appears on Sky News. Any interactions with him are in his capacity as a journalist and have not related to Strand, its business or its clients.”
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “There is a rigorous process to capture any potential conflicts of interest, and ensure appropriate mitigations are in place to reflect specific circumstances. Ahead of his appointment, Tim Allan fully complied with this process.
“This is set out in the special adviser code of conduct and lists of special adviser interests are published annually.”
A Strand Partners spokesman said: “Tom Baldwin is a journalist and the biographer of the prime minister. He does not engage in government relations for Strand and this is not part of his terms of engagement with us.
“Tim Allan sought advice on his interests from the Cabinet Office and followed every element of the advice received. He receives no financial benefit from Strand and is not involved in our operations.”
2025-11-13T13:25:44Z