Grant Shapps, the former Secretary of State for Defence, has resigned from his position as chairman of Cambridge Aerospace. Mr Shapps, who previously held several senior cabinet roles including Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Secretary of State for Transport, stated that his departure was aimed at 'simplifying matters'.
The resignation comes at a time when the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists (ORCL) is conducting a probe into the firm. The ORCL is an independent statutory body responsible for ensuring transparency in lobbying by monitoring whether individuals or organisations are required to register under the lobbying Act.
Mr Shapps served as Defence Secretary until November 2023, a significant period during which the UK continued its support for Ukraine and addressed various global security challenges. His tenure in government saw him at the forefront of critical policy decisions affecting national defence and international relations.
The role of a former cabinet minister holding a position in a private aerospace firm, particularly one that may interact with government contracts or policy, often draws scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest or lobbying activities. The Registrar's investigation typically assesses whether the activities of a company or individual meet the criteria for consultant lobbying, which would necessitate registration.
While Mr Shapps' statement attributes his resignation to a desire for simplification, the timing amidst a regulatory investigation is notable. The Registrar's findings, once published, will clarify whether Cambridge Aerospace's activities required registration and if any breaches of the Lobbying Act occurred.
This development underscores the ongoing focus on transparency and accountability within the sphere where politics and private industry intersect, particularly for individuals who have recently held high-profile government positions.