The Bow Group calls for a judicial review and government Inquiry into the role of the Prime Minister's girlfriend Carrie Symonds in the UK Government.
In consideration of the recent reports in the press that make reference to:
• Ms Symond's role in approving her friend Nimco Ali to the role of Government Advisor, in receipt of public funds.
• Ms Symond's role in the removal from the Government of Dominic Cummings, Lee Cain, and Oliver Lewis.
• Ms Symond's role in the appointments of Allegra Stratton, Henry Newman, and Baroness Finn.
• Ms Symond's role in the setting and implementation of government policy.
The Bow Group believes that a judicial review and government inquiry is necessary to determine what role Ms Symonds has had, and continues to play, in the Government of the United Kingdom.
Any inquiry should be open to the public and hear the testimony from current and former Downing Street staff, Civil and Political, as well as the release of the records and correspondence to examine the full spectrum of Ms Symond's interference and influence.
Any inquiry must be independent of the Government and the Conservative Party.
The inquiry should look into:
• The specific role Ms Symonds plays in Downing Street.
• Details of any Government meeting attended by Ms Symonds.
• Any orders given by Ms Symonds to Special Advisers and Civil Servants - even minor.
• All communication between Ms Symonds and Government Advisers must be examined - particularly between Henry Newman; Allegra Stratton; Nimco Ali; Baroness Finn.
• All communication between Ms Symonds and members of the press relating to the privileged business of the UK Government and internal affairs of Downing Street.
• The possible interference and influence Ms Symonds has had in Government hiring and appointments.
• The possible interference and influence Ms Symonds has had in the policy and communication strategy of the Government.
• Ms Symonds employment history and previous actions when formally employed by the Conservative Party, and how they relate to the Government.
Ben Harris-Quinney, Chairman of the Bow Group said:
"Even when she held an official role with the Conservative Party I warned of the pernicious influence of Ms Symonds in UK politics, her links to what became the "Tatler Tory" scandal, and reported behaviour which was unacceptable for any individual, let alone those anywhere near government.
She currently holds no official role in the Conservative Party or the Government, yet consistent reports in the press suggest that Ms Symonds is taking a central role in running the country, without any authority or accountability to do so.
She has not been elected, she has not been appointed, she holds no legal or constitutional powers to make decisions relating to who should hold government posts, to be party to privileged information, or to set the policy direction of the country.
It is therefore urgent that a review and inquiry takes place to determine what Ms Symond's role in the governing of the United Kingdom is, and has been to date.
Failure to clarify Ms Symonds position and authority, and to ensure that Ms Symonds is not and cannot take any action in governing the United Kingdom, potentially has huge hazards for the Government, the Conservative Party, and the nation.
The public take a very dim view of cronyism, democracy in Britain is and must always be sacred, and no one should be involved in running our country without accountability to the people."
