Tim Parker's Financial Interests: Is This "Tough, New" Transparency?

The Lib Dems' Mike Tuffrey asked the anticipated question about Parker's declaration of interests. Could he say that reports that he wouldn't be making one are untrue? Parker said he couldn't. He said that he had the necessary form in front of him and continued:

"As soon as I walk out this morning...I will go straight up to my office, fill out the form and it will be there for you...in a matter of minutes."

Well, it's not that there yet but when it is it seems it will show his responses to two propositions. They are:

"I have an interest whether financial or otherwise, or a person related to me or with whom I have a close personal relationship, [who] has an interest in an organisation which has business dealings with the Authority or the functional bodies."

And:

"I have an interest whether financial or otherwise in an issue on which I am advising the Mayor or Assembly which affects an interest held by me, and/or any person related to me or with whom I have a close personal relationship."

He'll be responding to both in the negative. How disappointing. The form in question is the standard "General Notice Of Interests To Be Registered – Staff (Mayoral Appointments)," that applied under Ken Livingstone. It requires far less information than the declarations made by assembly members, as we see from those posted by Parker's fellow deputies Richard Barnes AM and Kit Malthouse AM. Yet Parker is a multi-millionaire and international investor. Does transparency demand that we know more?

Let's look at what Boris Johnson promised during the election campaign. His manifesto on accountability (pdf) promised to, "Introduce tough new rules for Mayoral advisers to ensure their interests are declared and in the open" (page 3) and "Strengthen the accountability of Mayoral advisers by putting a separate
register of interests online." (page 11). And on page 12 it says:

"The current GLA staff code of conduct requires staff to register any financial interests. However, this register is not immediately accessible by the public. After the resignation of Lee Jasper over unethical behaviour and alleged misuse of public funds, it is clear that the system of declaring interests needs to be more open and transparent. Therefore, we will create a separate register of interests for advisers and require that this is open for public viewing at all times on the Mayor’s website."

The declaration Parker spoke of this morning is the one required under the existing code of conduct - nothing more. And unless some new and more demanding form of declaration is in the works, the only change from Livingstone's administration is that when a mayor's adviser completes the old declaration form it will appear on the website under his name. In Parker's case it's going to say "none" and "none".* With the best will in the world can someone with millions of pounds' worth of investments all over the planet really be that sure? Can we?

UPDATE, 17.55: *Oh no it's not! Not even that!

Comments

[Rob]

"Well, it's not that there yet"

Hi Dave, I believe the line "Register of Interests: None" might have been added today.

I think John Biggs questioned him further and he did say he would "look at" possibly using blind trusts although he didn't think it was necessary.

[Dave Hill]

Hello Rob. That "none" has been up there for ages. Parker explained this morning that he hadn't filled in the declaration but had it in front of him. The rest you know from my post. It was Len Duvall who asked him about blind trusts. From memory Parker indicated he wasn't hostile to the idea but doubted it would make any difference. He is confident there's no conflict of interest.

[Rob]

"That "none" has been up there for ages"

Oh, sorry, I thought it wasn't there when I looked earlier on.
The version of that page in the Google cache dated July 3rd[1] just says has "None" for "Gifts and Hospitality" and the current page has both "Gifts and Hospitality" and "Register Of Interests".

[1]
http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:jtLLj2nESLgJ:www.london.gov.uk/mayor/team/deputy.jsp+http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/team/deputy.jsp