“Urgent inquiry” should be launched into Kwarteng’s secret Saudi dealings

EMBARGO: Immediate release

In light of revelations in the Guardian today that Kwasi Kwarteng had secret meetings with Saudi oil firms, the Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent inquiry into his conduct. 

It follows previous calls by the party for an investigation into whether the Chancellor broke the ministerial code by attending a champagne party with hedge funds as his budget crashed the pound. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: 

“Despite being in office for just over a month Kwasi Kwarteng has already shown he can’t be trusted. 

“The Chancellor’s secret meetings in Saudi Arabia are just the latest example of his contempt for the rules, and for the public. 

“He has consistently sapped public trust in this government. He toasted his botched budget with hedge funds as the economy crashed, hid official economic figures and now it turns out failed to declare his dealings with a brutal regime.

“People are concerned that a culture of sleaze and secrecy is running rampant under this government. The Chancellor should answer for his conduct in the House of Commons today, and an inquiry should be launched into this reckless pattern of behaviour.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editor: Guardian report on Kwarteng's secret meetings can be found here