This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23423947
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Lynton Crosby: I've never spoken to PM about tobacco | Lynton Crosby: I've never spoken to PM about tobacco |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| David Cameron's election strategist has denied having any "conversation" with the prime minister over plain packaging on tobacco sold in England and Wales. | David Cameron's election strategist has denied having any "conversation" with the prime minister over plain packaging on tobacco sold in England and Wales. |
| Earlier this month, Mr Cameron decided not to go ahead with plans to remove all branding from cigarette packets. | Earlier this month, Mr Cameron decided not to go ahead with plans to remove all branding from cigarette packets. |
| Labour claims adviser Lynton Crosby's work for tobacco giant Philip Morris created a conflict of interest. | Labour claims adviser Lynton Crosby's work for tobacco giant Philip Morris created a conflict of interest. |
| But Mr Crosby said he had not "lobbied" any minister on the issue and the cabinet secretary ruled out an inquiry. | |
| Mr Cameron has insisted that Mr Crosby, who works for the Conservative Party rather than the coalition, has no role in deciding government policy. | Mr Cameron has insisted that Mr Crosby, who works for the Conservative Party rather than the coalition, has no role in deciding government policy. |
| Supporters of plain packaging say it will reduce smoking take-up rates among young people. | |
| But the decision on whether to adopt such a policy - already in place in Australia - was delayed earlier this month, with ministers saying it was important to gather more evidence on its effectiveness. | But the decision on whether to adopt such a policy - already in place in Australia - was delayed earlier this month, with ministers saying it was important to gather more evidence on its effectiveness. |
| 'Simply false' | 'Simply false' |
| Labour has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, calling for an investigation of the role of Mr Crosby, who runs lobbying firm Crosby Textor. | Labour has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, calling for an investigation of the role of Mr Crosby, who runs lobbying firm Crosby Textor. |
| In his reply, Sir Jeremy said an inquiry would serve "no purpose" since Mr Crosby had not seen government papers nor attended government meetings and his role advising the Conservatives was not, in itself, in conflict with the ministerial code. | |
| "Nor does he (Mr Crosby) advise or lobby on government business, whether the legislative programme, or individual policy issues such as the regulation of cigarette packing or fracking," he said. | |
| Sir Jeremy said the prime minister and his ministers were required to inform civil servants if they had had substantive policy discussions with third-party individuals or organisations without officials present and he could confirm that "no such issues have been raised" regarding Mr Crosby. | |
| The prime minister has been asked a number of times if he had spoken to Mr Crosby about the plain packaging plans. In answer he has repeatedly said he had not been lobbied by Mr Crosby. | The prime minister has been asked a number of times if he had spoken to Mr Crosby about the plain packaging plans. In answer he has repeatedly said he had not been lobbied by Mr Crosby. |
| 'Dodging questions' | |
| Mr Crosby echoed that when he said: "The prime minister has repeatedly and clearly said that I have never lobbied him on anything, including on the issue of tobacco or plain packaging of cigarettes." | Mr Crosby echoed that when he said: "The prime minister has repeatedly and clearly said that I have never lobbied him on anything, including on the issue of tobacco or plain packaging of cigarettes." |
| He also went further, denying that they had ever spoken about the issue. | He also went further, denying that they had ever spoken about the issue. |
| Mr Crosby said: "What the PM said should be enough for any ordinary person, but to avoid any doubt or speculation let me be clear. At no time have I had any conversation or discussion with or lobbied the prime minister, or indeed the health secretary or the health minister, on plain packaging or tobacco issues. | Mr Crosby said: "What the PM said should be enough for any ordinary person, but to avoid any doubt or speculation let me be clear. At no time have I had any conversation or discussion with or lobbied the prime minister, or indeed the health secretary or the health minister, on plain packaging or tobacco issues. |
| "Indeed, any claim that I have sought to improperly use my position as part-time campaign adviser to the Conservative Party is simply false." | "Indeed, any claim that I have sought to improperly use my position as part-time campaign adviser to the Conservative Party is simply false." |
| However, a Labour source told the BBC: "This still leaves more questions than answers. David Cameron and Lynton Crosby are still dodging questions on whether they had any conversations on alcohol and private health. | However, a Labour source told the BBC: "This still leaves more questions than answers. David Cameron and Lynton Crosby are still dodging questions on whether they had any conversations on alcohol and private health. |
| "David Cameron still has to answer the question about whether Lynton Crosby had any conversations with him." | "David Cameron still has to answer the question about whether Lynton Crosby had any conversations with him." |
| Downing Street sources said Mr Cameron was "pleased" Mr Crosby had clarified that they had never had a conversation or discussion about tobacco policy or the plain packaging of cigarettes. | Downing Street sources said Mr Cameron was "pleased" Mr Crosby had clarified that they had never had a conversation or discussion about tobacco policy or the plain packaging of cigarettes. |