Some eyebrows were raised when Boardman was put in charge of the review, given his connections to the world of finance and politics.
How was Boardman’s appointment controversial? Further concerns were raised when one of Britain’s most senior civil servants, Bill Crothers, was found to have advised Greensill while still serving in Whitehall – and this had even been approved by the Cabinet Office.Īn independent investigation was set up in April to look into Cameron’s dealings and whether there was any evidence of wrongdoing by him, or the people he tried to discreetly influence.Ĭorporate lawyer Nigel Boardman, 70, was appointed to head the inquiry that concluded on Thursday. It was also revealed that the government had granted the businessman behind it – Lex Greensill – a role as “senior adviser” in No10. He made multiple, direct representations to senior ministers – including chancellor Rishi Sunak, and civil servants – trying to get the lender special access to hundreds of thousands of pounds of emergency Covid loans, before it later collapsed.
After having spent most of his time since leaving Downing Street out of the spotlight, former prime minister David Cameron was thrust back into it this spring when it emerged he had been lobbying for a firm called Greensill Capital.
