Labor accuses Priti Patel of ‘reckless’ of serial breach of ministerial law | Priti Patel

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Labor accused the Home Secretary of being a “reckless” and “serial criminal” in breaching ministerial law after it was alleged she mediated a meeting between a billionaire Tory donor and British Airways.

The Sunday Mirror reported that Priti Patel arranged a meeting on August 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow Airport, part of a chain owned by benefactor Torres Surinder Arora.

Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Group, was at the meeting with his son Sanjay, Arora’s Strategy Director. Carlton Brown, Chief Financial Officer of Arora. CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths; and Director of Corporate Affairs at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Lisa Trimble.

The BA CEO Sean Doyle was reportedly invited but was unable to attend.

But the Sunday Mirror reported that no Home Office official was present, as rules will dictate that they should be in place if government business is discussed. The Ministerial Act states: “A private secretary or official shall be present in all discussions of government business.

“If a minister meets with an outside organization or individual and finds himself discussing official matters without an official presence – for example at a social event or on holiday – any important content should be returned to the department as soon as possible after the event.”

A spokesman for the Minister of the Interior said: “Details of all relevant external meetings of the Minister of the Interior will be published in the usual manner in accordance with the ministerial law.”

It is understood that Patel considered it a private meeting and that the lunch was announced in her private office.

But the reports will raise eyebrows: Patel was forced to resign as international development minister in 2017 after unauthorized meetings with Israeli officials.

Labor Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: “The Home Secretary is a serial criminal who does not take into account the Ministerial Act. It is time for the Prime Minister to withdraw the ‘get out of jail’ ticket.”

“This secret pressure lunch would break the rules three times. It has serious questions to answer and must be investigated by the Cabinet Secretary immediately.”

“The Home Secretary is so reckless about her duties that she appears to be participating in meetings behind closed doors and without an official presence,” added Nick Thomas Symonds, Labor’s shadow home secretary.

Kwasi Quarting, the business minister, also attended the meeting without anyone from his ministry.

The Sunday Mirror reported that he attended his role as a local MP as Heathrow Airport borders the Spelthorne constituency.

Arora donated to former Conservative chancellor, Philip Hammond, when he was a local MP.

He told the Sunday Mirror, “I’ve known Quarry and Preeti for years. I said ‘Go out and have lunch and see my new hotel.’ I don’t do politics. I don’t support anyone. There was no agenda.”

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