Foreign Secretary Lammy Faces Legal Threat Over Foreign Office Secondments

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, is facing potential legal action over a controversial scheme proposing job swaps between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and major corporations Shell and BAE Systems. The plan, first suggested by Lammy in March, aims to embed government staff in these firms for commercial experience while inviting private sector employees into government roles. However, environmental charity The Corner House has raised serious concerns about conflicts of interest, potential improper influence on UK foreign policy, and compliance with human rights and international law. The charity, supported by solicitors Leigh Day, has sent a pre-action letter warning that the scheme may be illegal and breach the civil service code, urging transparency on the scheme’s operation. Nicholas Hildyard, founder of The Corner House, criticized the plan for risking serious conflicts of interest, especially given past human rights allegations against Shell and BAE Systems. The companies have disputed claims of wrongdoing, but the legal threat underscores tensions between commercial interests and government policy integrity.