The list does not indicate how much Lord Cameron was paid when he taught students in a course on the «age of change» 39; Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Downing Street has released details of Lord Cameron's links to the United Arab Emirates, which could be «relevant» to his role as Foreign Secretary.
Rishi Sunak's ethics adviser included includes the former prime minister's role as a visiting professor at New York University Abu Dhabi in the new list of ministerial interests.
It comes just weeks after it emerged that the Foreign Office had intervened to «soften» the government's letter about the attempted takeover of The Telegraph UAE.
Lord Cameron lectured on politics at the University for three weeks New York. The UAE-funded operation in Abu Dhabi took place back in January.
He taught students a course on the «age of change» with topics such as migration and Ukraine, according to state newspaper The National. .
The list does not indicate how much Lord Cameron was paid.
A 2019 analysis of tax returns by the NYU News student newspaper found that the campus is «entirely funded by the government of the United Arab Emirates.»
Sir Laurie said the criteria for inclusion on his list included «recent previous employment». this could be perceived as having an impact on their ministerial portfolio.»
'Truly ridiculous' lack of disclosure
This comes as The Telegraph is the subject of a takeover bid from RedBird IMI, a company funded by Sheikh Mansour Bin. Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE.
Lucy Fraser, Minister of Culture, has initiated a Public Interest Intervention Notice, which requires careful consideration of the proposed sale on the grounds of freedom of expression.
However, in November it was reported that the Foreign Office was involved in easing sanctions. language used by the culture minister in a letter to the foundation, which is trying to take over The Telegraph for fear of offending its patron in Abu Dhabi.
Officials are understood to be concerned that the language could offend the UAE ahead of the London foreign investors summit and Rishi Sunak's trip to the Gulf for the Cop28 climate conference.
Government has not said whether Lord Cameron will withdraw from discussions about the future The Telegraph.
On Thursday evening, Sir Laurie published an updated list of financial interests, which included ministers returned to the government in the November reshuffle.
Critics said the entry on Lord Cameron constituted a “cover-up” because it did not list details of his individual connections to Chinese businesses.
Instead, most of the former prime minister's activities outside government were simply listed. as work for an American agency of guest speakers.
Critics called the lack of disclosure «truly laughable» and accused the government of «hiding» Lord Cameron's true financial interests.
«An unacceptable obfuscation.» '
Shortly before his return to government, Lord Cameron was called upon to promote investment in a controversial Chinese-backed project in Sri Lanka.
At the end of September, he spoke at a forum in the United Arab Emirates in support of plans to build a huge new port in the capital Colombo.
As part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, the main developer is the majority state-owned China Communications Construction Company.
Dilum Amunugama, Sri Lanka's Minister for Investment, said it was the Chinese firm that decided to engage Lord Cameron to attracting Western money.
But when asked about his participation, the former prime minister's administration replied that it was organized by the Washington Bureau of Speakers.
Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said the arrangement was being used to «disguise» his financial interests.
He called No. 10's decision not to list any further details «an unacceptable obfuscation and far below standards transparency the public deserves.»
That was «not good enough,» he added, demanding: «We need to know who paid for what. Parliamentary standards must conduct an investigation.»
«Another cover-up by the Conservatives.»
Sir Laurie said Lord Cameron had «resigned from all previous paid positions and a number of unpaid positions» upon returning to government.
He indicated that the minister Foreign Affairs has a financial interest in the blind trust and is also a potential beneficiary of the unsupervised family trust.
Wendy Chamberlain, the Lib Dem leader, said the failure to disclose who the former prime minister worked for was “yet another Conservative cover-up.”
“The public deserves to know Cameron's full list. clients and any potential conflicts of interest,» she said.
«Rishi Sunak's promise to govern with integrity and accountability has been left in tatters. Again, one rule for Conservative ministers and another for everyone else.
“The full list of David Cameron's financial interests when he took office should be published immediately. If he has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.”
Introducing the list, Sir Laurie said it “does not include all the interests that the Minister has declared for himself.”
He added that “this would be an undue interference in the private affairs of ministers, which would be unwise.”
“I am careful in determining who should be published on the list with taking into account the views of Permanent Secretaries and Ministers regarding their suitability for specific portfolios and the length of time that has elapsed since their appointments ceased,” he wrote.
“I am satisfied that any real, potential or perceived conflicts have been or are in resolution process.”
Many of our readers have expressed concern about the potential sale of Telegraph Media Group to Abu Dhabi-linked Redbird IMI. While Ofcom investigates, we invite you to comment on the process.
Email salecomments@telegraph.co.uk to have your say.
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