Lobbying Bill Branded A 'Dog's Breakfast'

David Cameron's plans to prevent future lobbying scandals are a "dog's breakfast", according to the head of the Commons committee scrutinising the reforms.

The Lobbying Bill is due to start its passage through Parliament when MPs return to Westminster in the autumn.

It sets out moves to create a statutory register of lobbyists but only firms which say it is their main business would need to register - excluding many key players.

Labour MP Graham Allen, the head of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, says it will not open up the £2bn lobbying industry to effective scrutiny.

"The new lobbying law is rushed and ridiculous," he told The Independent.

"Instead of addressing the Prime Minister's promise to 'shine the light of transparency' on lobbying, this flawed legislation will mean we'll all be back in a year facing another scandal. It is a dog's breakfast."

Mr Allen has taken the unusual step of recalling his committee during MPs' summer break for a series of special hearings to take further evidence from key lobbying industry figures.

The hope is apparently that the last-minute sessions could prompt a rethink in Downing Street.

David Cameron warned lobbying would be "the next big political scandal"

Iain Anderson, director of lobbying firm Cicero and chairman of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), is one of those due to appear before MPs.

He told The Independent: "The Government knows 95% of what lobbyists do will not be covered by this law.

"They have fixed on the public's concern over rogue lobbyists but this law will only undermine public confidence."

David Cameron said lobbying in Westminster was "the next big political scandal" back in 2009 and the coalition vowed to tackle the issue in their 2010 agreement.

The Government was criticised for dragging its feet before finally publishing the long-awaited legislation last month.

As well as a statutory register, it controversially also includes annual membership audits for trade unions and curbs on unions funding elections.

A new lower limit of £390,000 in campaign spending in the 12 months before a national poll - now to include staff time and office costs as well as materials - would apply.

Union bosses have called for urgent talks with ministers over concerns the reforms could prevent their annual conferences or a national demonstration before an election.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady claimed stricter controls on spending by bodies other than political parties would be "an outrageous attack on freedom of speech worthy of an authoritarian dictatorship".

Ms O'Grady said: "It's an open secret at Westminster that this rushed Bill has nothing to do with cleaning up lobbying or getting big money out of politics. Instead it is a crude and politically partisan attack on trade unions, particularly those who affiliate to the Labour Party.

"But it has been drawn so widely that its chilling effect will be to shut down dissent for the year before an election. No organisation that criticises a government policy will be able to overdraw their limited ration of dissent without fearing a visit from the police."

She added: "This will not just gag unions, but any group or organisation that disagrees with government - or opposition - policies."

Downing Street said Mr Cameron "certainly does not agree" with Mr Allen's assessment" but held the door open to changes to the reform plans.

Asked if the Prime Minister was happy with the legislation as drafted, a spokesman said: "As a Government, we will always put forward legislation in the best format we can.

"There is then discussion and debate in the House. If, as a part of that discussion and debate, we feel the need to refine legislation then of course we will.

"The Prime Minister's view is that it is important that we continue to increase transparency and that's exactly what this Bill will do."

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