Kemi Badenoch is facing calls to strip the Tory whip from an MP who is alleged to have been paid by a company that helped him write questions to the Government.
George Freeman, the Mid Norfolk MP and a former science minister, is reported to have submitted queries to Labour ministers about the sector the firm operates in.
According to his register of interests, Mr Freeman was paid £60,000 between April last year to March this year to be an adviser to GHGSat Limited.
The firm uses satellites and aircraft sensors to measure greenhouse gas emissions directly from industrial sites.
The Sunday Times published what is said were leaked emails that suggested Mr Freeman submitted questions to the Government with the help of the firm’s boss.
He is said to have asked the company’s managing director what to ask about as he prepared written parliamentary questions related to space data and emissions tracking.
Mr Freeman reportedly tabled the question to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The appointments watchdog Acoba previously advised the Tory MP that in taking up the role with GHGSat, ‘there are risks associated with your influence and network of contacts gained whilst in ministerial office’.
‘In particular, this is a company that is interested in government policy and decisions relating to the civil space sector and emissions,’ Acoba added.
‘You noted you have made it clear to the company that you will not lobby government on its behalf, and this will not form part of your role.’
Mr Freeman told the newspaper: ‘As a longstanding advocate of important new technologies, companies and industries, working cross-party through APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups) and the select committee, I regularly ask experts for clarification on technical points and terminology, and deeply respect and try to assiduously follow the code of conduct for MPs and the need to act always in the public interest.
‘Throughout my 15 years in Parliament (and government), I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I have done for and with commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism.
‘I don’t believe I have done anything wrong but I am immediately referring myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will accept his judgment in due course.’
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: ‘George Freeman MP has referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
‘It would be inappropriate for the Conservative Party to comment further whilst the Commissioner’s inquiries are ongoing.’
But the Liberal Democrats and Labour both called for Mrs Badenoch, the Conservative leader, to suspend him.
A Labour spokesperson said: ‘Cash for questions was a hallmark of Tory sleaze in the 1990s, and three decades on the same issue has raised its head again.
‘George Freeman has referred himself for investigation so now Kemi Badenoch must suspend him from the Tory whip.’
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: ‘This looks like the same old sleaze and scandal people have come to expect from the Conservative Party.
‘Kemi Badenoch should immediately suspend the whip from George Freeman while this is investigated.
‘Failure to act would confirm that even after being booted out of government, the Conservatives are still hopelessly out of touch.’
Mr Freeman is currently on the science, innovation and technology committee and a trade envoy.
He was responsible for the UK space agency in his previous role as a minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under former PM Rishi Sunak.
A spokesman for GHGSat said: ‘GHGSat retained George Freeman MP for a brief period to help GHGSat understand and navigate the geopolitical environment in the UK and Europe.
‘GHGSat signed a services agreement with Mr Freeman that did not include any lobbying activities and was concluded on the basis of the terms laid out by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba).
‘GHGSat takes all applicable laws and regulations concerning lobbying extremely seriously.’