Hunt accuses Labour of cronyism over job for donor

Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt has accused Labour of "cronyism", after a party donor was given a senior civil service role in the Treasury.

Ian Corfield - who previously donated £20,000 to Labour MPs, including £5,000 to now-Chancellor Rachel Reeves last year - was given a temporary job focused on organising an international investment summit planned for October.

Ms Reeves said the donation was declared over a year ago "in the proper way" and all the questions asked by the civil service when the appointment was made were answered.

It is understood Mr Corfield has since moved to an unpaid advisory role.

Raising the appointment during Treasury questions in the Commons, Mr Hunt said: "When the chancellor was sitting on this side of the House she repeatedly attacked cronyism."

He asked whether Ms Reeves told the Treasury's permanent secretary - the department's most senior civil servant - about Mr Corfield's donation to her before he was appointed as a director.

In response, Ms Reeves said: "All governments appoint people to the civil service.

"The donation from Ian Corfield was declared over a year ago in the proper way and we answered all the questions in the right way that the civil service asked when we made that appointment.

"Ian Corfield is ing this government in hosting the international investment summit which is going to bring hundreds of global investors to the UK next month."

Hitting back, Mr Hunt said: "I think that means the answer is no."

He suggested this could be a breach of the Ministerial Code, which requires ministers to ensure no conflict arises between their public duties and private interests.

"Why is cronyism wrong under the Conservatives but acceptable under Labour":[]}