Key information
Publication type: Consultation
Start date: Wednesday 30 June 2021
End date: Friday 25 March 2022
Contents
The Investigation
- On 22 September 2019 there was a report published in the Sunday Times, which alleged that Boris Johnson used his position while Mayor of London to benefit and reward American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri. Following the reports, the current Mayor of London commissioned an independent review into the practices of L&P. On 17 December 2019, the Review of the L&P Process of Selection of Trade Mission Delegates and decisions about Sponsorship was published.
- On 21 May 2020, The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) informed the Right Honourable Boris Johnson and the Greater London Authority (GLA) that it would not be conducting a criminal investigation into allegations that Mr Johnson used his position while Mayor of London to benefit and reward American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri.
- The IOPC stated that as this did not amount to a potential criminal offence, that this was now a matter for the GLA to consider.
- Alongside this, the review made five recommendations around clearer policies, procedures and record keeping. The IOPC strongly urged the GLA and London & Partners (L&P) to consider these recommendations in order to provide critical public assurance around their governance processes.
- Recommendation 3 of the IOPC report was that: “the GLA considers using its inspection, scrutiny and audit powers to conduct a review of L&P policies and processes around the payment of sponsorship money. L&P may also wish to commission its own audit to review sponsorship payments, the reasons for them, and whether they have been appropriately authorised and provided value for money”.
- The GLA Oversight Committee has so far not been able to follow up on this report, as work was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also prevented the committee from fully following up on the recommendations of the independent review into L&P policies and processes.
- This investigation will see the Oversight Committee follow up on the IOPC report and the independent review into L&P’s policies and processes, by investigating the payment of sponsorship monies and the access afforded to those who participated in Mayoral trade missions. It also allows for an investigation into the strength of the GLA’s Code of Conduct, alongside consideration of other Codes of Conduct used in public bodies.
Terms of Reference
- To gain an update on progress made since a) the GLA’s Independent Review of L&P policies and practices from 17 December 2019 and b) the IOPC Review report on 21 May 2020.
- To gain a greater understanding from the GLA’s Monitoring Officer and industry experts on standards in public life and codes of conduct.
- To investigate through meetings with L&P and GLA officers, the policies and processes around the payment of sponsorship money and invitations to Mayoral trade missions.
- To investigate through committee meetings with L&P’s beneficiaries, issues relating to access to GLA sponsorship and Mayoral trade missions.
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