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Lobbying scandal news: Dossier reveals new details of Cameron pleas as PM U-turns on Dyson inquiry

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to defend himself on Wednesday over texts to Sir James Dyson (AFP via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to defend himself on Wednesday over texts to Sir James Dyson (AFP via Getty Images)

David Cameron and Lex Greensill repeatedly lobbied the Bank of England for support for finance company Greensill Capital, messages released by the Bank have revealed.

The Bank today released a series of emails and letters from the former prime minister, some of which showed senior officials at Threadneedle Street agreeing to phone calls with Mr Cameron and Mr Greensill.

The Treasury also later published a 30-page dossier of communications with the collapsed finance firm, which showed how Mr Cameron and the company’s founder pleaded for support as the Covid crisis struck.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has ordered an inquiry into the leak of his private text messages with businessman Sir James Dyson, less than 24 hours after Downing Street rejected calls for a probe.

More news also emerged over Mr Cameron on Thursday, with MPs told he had lobbied a top treasury official by mobile phone on behalf of the finance firm Greensill.

Permanent secretary Sir Tom Scholar told the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that he received a call and text messages from the former prime minister in March and April last year.

The inquiry launched by PAC is one of a number that have been opened into how lobbying is carried out in government after it was revealed Mr Cameron sent text messages to Rishi Sunak asking for help with a Covid loan scheme on behalf of Greensill Capital.