Burnham’s pick for chief of staff led firm that advised BP, Apple and Amazon
Key takeaways
- Prefer the Guardian on GoogleThe advisory firm led by Andy Burnham’s incoming chief of staff counted BP, Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover and Uber among its clients, transparency records reveal.
- Burnham is facing unease within Labour over the lobbying links of James Purnell, a longstanding friend and former cabinet minister who was most recently chief executive of Flint Global.
- Flint Global does not publish a list of clients but is a registered lobbyist, with two entries in the past five years showing it had contact with government ministers or officials on behalf of companies.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
It is understood Purnell has given up his shares, will no longer have a connection to the firm, and has no access to Flint emails or systems with immediate effect. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian View image in fullscreen. It is understood Purnell has given up his shares, will no longer have a connection to the firm, and has no access to Flint emails or systems with immediate effect. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian James Purnell Burnham’s pick for chief of staff led firm that advised BP, Apple and AmazonAppointment of James Purnell, former chief executive of Flint Global, described by one Labour MP as ‘very bad sign’
Prefer the Guardian on GoogleThe advisory firm led by Andy Burnham’s incoming chief of staff counted BP, Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover and Uber among its clients, transparency records reveal.
Burnham is facing unease within Labour over the lobbying links of James Purnell, a longstanding friend and former cabinet minister who was most recently chief executive of Flint Global.