David Cameron Says He Was Paid “Way More Than I Earned As Prime Minister” To Lobby On Behalf Of Greensill Capital | Political news

David Cameron said he was given a “generous annual fee” which was “far more than what I earned as Prime Minister” to lobby on behalf of a now bankrupt financial services company .

Mr. Cameron appears before two committees of the House of Commons to answer questions about its actions on behalf of Greensill Capital.

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The former prime minister approached ministers and serving officials about Greensill’s involvement in government-backed financial support programs during the COVID-19 crisis, lobbying that included dozens of appeals and text messages to people including Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

He said he had a “big economic investment in Greensill’s future,” but declined to say how much he stood to gain financially.

“I received an annual amount, a generous annual amount, much more than what I earned as Prime Minister, and I had stocks, not stock options, but company stocks, which were acquired during the term of my contract ”. Mr Cameron said.

He continued, “I had a big economic investment in Greensill’s future, so I wanted the business to be successful, I wanted it to grow.”

“It is important that I have this economic interest for serious economic interest, but I don’t think the amount is particularly relevant to answering these questions, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a private matter.”

Mr Cameron has defended his activities, saying he believes “deeply” in public service and “I would never come up with anything that I did not absolutely believe in the interest of the public good.”

In his opening statement to the Treasury Committee, he described having to face MPs and answer questions about his lobbying as a “painful day”.

Mr. Cameron said he had …