The Lobbying Scandal Across the Pond

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"The nuclear, pharmaceutical and drinks industries are funding and even writing policy reports in the name of influential all-party groups (APG)" in British Parliament, reports The Times. There are almost 300 APG groups, and "two thirds are now being assisted by special interest groups," often "investigating controversial policies in which they have a commercial interest." Examples include the All-Party Parliamentary Nuclear Group, administered by Miranda Kirschel of the Nuclear Industry Association, a trade group representing more than 100 nuclear companies; and the All-Party Pharmacy Group, which "admitted that lobbyists working on behalf of the pharmacy industry wrote the reports on behalf of the group." The Pharmacy APG had listed the PR and lobbying firm Luther Pendragon as a source of "administrative support," without identifying the ultimate client, as is required by law.