Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 3:39 pm on 26 March 2012.
Does the Minister agree with the failure of one of his Secretaries of State’s to register a meal he had with the lobbyist Bell Pottinger this year on the basis that on the day in question he was digesting with his private stomach and not his ministerial stomach? Is not the distinction a false one? Nobody would give £250,000 for a social, private chat with the Prime Minister, but they would pay it if they were seeking access and influence.