openDemocracy findings on Varun Chandra’s activities at Hakluyt prompted official watchdog to launch investigation
Reeves’ Mansion House speech shows the corporate takeover of Labour is complete
JP Morgan Chase wrote to Rachel Reeves to lobby against rumoured banking surcharge rise ahead of autumn budget
Plus, how Peter Mandelson might find common ground with Trump in rumoured new role as UK ambassador to Washington
The business secretary told the head of a major global investment banker that he looked forward to working together to “change the face of our United Kingdom"
Failed MPs and outgoing spads turn to lobbying, plus the new shadow science minister’s links to arms firms and tech giants
A new lobby shop has close links to Starmer and his top team, while another firm is wooing junior journalists
Plus, a Labour donor wins big on government contracts, a would-be MP fails upwards and the smoking lobby returns
Varun Chandra left an MI6-linked consultancy to join Starmer’s government, but he still has a stake in its AI-backing investment fund
Quadrature’s donation is noteworthy not just for being Labour’s largest-ever, but for its timing ahead of election
