It’s time a wedge was jammed in the revolving door
MP Paul Flynn recalls: In October last year I wrote “Stupid and Greedy?” about former energy Minister John Hutton. It was hinted then that he about to take a job with EDF Energy.” The EDF appointment has now been confirmed.
‘Deeply under the nuclear spell’
Paul Flynn points out that as business secretary last year, Hutton galvanised political support for the industry and was influential in the government’s decision in January 2008 to back the construction of a new generation of reactors.
He negotiated the £12bn sale of state-controlled nuclear generator British Energy to EDF, which hopes to build Britain’s first new reactors for more than 20 years. EDF has long enjoyed the services of lobbyist Andrew Brown – Gordon Brown’s younger brother – as director of communications.
John Hutton also joined the board of US Hyperion Power Generation Inc, which produces mini nuclear reactors and has been branded as ‘another bombmaking threat’, risking the spread of nuclear technology to rogue regimes.
Earlier this month, PCU noted that, in addition, Hutton has become an adviser to Eversheds, one of the largest law firms in the world, which was appointed to act for the MoD in the inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa. Eversheds has advised the Defence Estates on its portfolio in the past and is advising on the award of a contract for the provision of a global ‘live’ aerial target capability to the UK Armed Forces.
Postscript: 20th June 2010
Yet another job for Hutton
John Hutton to advise George Osborne on public sector pensions
Cumbrian reader:
Isn`t this the same John Hutton who has been appointed by David Cameron to some “job” or other.
Is he completely crackers?