Cameron made a big speech about the negative impact of lobbyists so its similar to...

...Back to Basics which was a problem because the Tories were shown to be saying one thing and doing another.

It is true that lobbying per se is not a problem - someone going and visiting their MP about fly tipping could be described as lobbying. - but if some lobbyists are more equal than others, and posess better access than others, then that is potentially a problem (and unfair to other lobbyists).

Bell Pottinger also admitted they deal in "dark arts" such as manipulating Google search results, which could be considered a dubious practice. Certainly a legitimate story, in my opinion.

And then there is the problem that the company seemed to be prepared to act for some pretty dodgy regimes. Up to them, you might say, but it is definitely worth asking questions about, given the level of access to ministers that this company seems to have.

After the Liam Fox affair, this is most certainly a matter of public interest, and not a non-story, as you seem to suggest.

Posted By: grumpy, Dec 7, 13:44:16