UK: Hancock, Kwarteng Accept to Work for Fake Company

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Facts

  • Former UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, as well as former chancellor of the exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, reportedly agreed to work for a fake South Korean company for approximately £10K a day as part of a sting operation by the political group "Led By Donkeys."1
  • An anti-Brexit group, Led By Donkeys created a website as well as a "fake virtual office" in the South Korean capital of Seoul for what would be called "Hanseong Consulting." The group approached 20 lawmakers from different parties to ask if they would join the fake company's international advisory board.2
  • The group contacted 16 Conservative lawmakers, two Labour lawmakers, one Liberal Democrat lawmaker, and one independent lawmaker — with five attending subsequent Zoom calls. Led by Donkeys released a trailer for their "undercover investigation" this weekend, which also included legislators Sir Graham Brady, Stephen Hammond, and Gavin Williamson.3
  • While Hancock told the firm that his rate was "10,000 sterling," Kwarteng agreed to the same rate after saying he did not require a "king's ransom." Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, stated that £6K a day felt "about right" while also reaffirming that any payment would be on a public register. It is legal for parliamentarians to have second jobs.4
  • It has also been revealed that the company was turned down by Gavin Williamson. A spokesperson for Matt Hancock called the "accusation" that he had done anything wrong "absurd," stating that "all the video shows is Matt acting completely properly."5
  • Despite this, shadow culture secretary and Labour representative Lucy Powell stated that she was "pretty appalled and sickened" by the videos, and reiterated a commitment for members of parliament to be banned from holding second jobs.5

Sources: 1BBC News, 2Sky News, 3ITV News, 4Guardian, and 5Mirror.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by Mirror. For every reasonable case made for politicians having second jobs, there are a hundred other examples that should simply be crimes. Unsurprisingly, Tory sleaze, once again, is back in the headlines. A simple explanation may be that many Conservative ministers of parliament know that they will be out of a job by the time of the next election and are looking for a lifeboat. Something must change in order to rid Westminster of such abject corruption.
  • Right narrative, as provided by Spectator. While some may criticize the ability of members of parliament to hold a second job, the reality is, they are often useful means of informing debate and committee work. At the end of the day, it's up to members of parliament to decide how the body is run. If the public has a genuine issue with the topic, there is always the option to vote for a party or representative that aligns with those views at the next election.