A political lobbying firm that secretly compensated journalists for articles benefiting its clients is being urged to disclose the full scope of those payments, which have been condemned as a perilous assault on democratic principles.
Members of Parliament, senior lobbyists and transparency advocates have roundly condemned CT Group, the firm founded by campaign strategist Lynton Crosby, a political strategist who once advised David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
Calls for reform of lobbying regulations have intensified, demanding that CT Group fully disclose the breadth of the practice uncovered by a four‑month investigative report from The Guardian.
“When lobbyists pay journalists to craft seemingly independent stories, it constitutes an assault on the integrity of journalism, public relations, and, by extension, democracy,” declared Alastair McCapra, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which is not affiliated with CT Group.
‘Anyone can practice public relations in this country without being bound by a professional body or a code of conduct,’ McCapra added. ‘While most operate ethically, the reported incidents tarnish the profession and undermine the credibility upon which responsible lobbying and public relations rely.’
CT Group representatives disclosed to an undercover reporter that they had compensated journalists to place seemingly independent stories in newspapers, and that they had offered hundreds of pounds in cash to a property‑industry client in exchange for favorable coverage, with promises of enhanced editorial influence.
Jemimah Steinfeld, chief executive of Index on Censorship, warned, “Reframing lobbying as journalism is short‑sighted and frankly dangerous,” and urged CT Group to initiate an internal investigation.
Steve Goodrich, head of research and investigations at Transparency International UK, asserted, “When lobbyists secretly pay journalists to produce favorable coverage for their clients, it erodes press integrity. This investigation raises serious questions about CT Group’s conduct and the prevalence of such covert arrangements across the lobbying sector.”
Luke Taylor, a Liberal Democrat member of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, argued that “full transparency regarding when money changes hands in reporting” is now essential.
“Across the board we are seeing worrying signs that our democracy is under threat,” he remarked. “A free press is a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy, and we must do everything possible to preserve it.”
Sam Carling, a Labour MP on the committee, remarked that “if secret payments or other ethical lapses are widespread, the government should consider granting the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists regulatory authority to hold lobbyists accountable.”
Rupa Huq, a Labour member of the Commons media select committee, stated that “lobbying transparency is desperately needed, as the current environment resembles the wild west due to regulatory shortcomings.” She added, “I hope the forthcoming Andy Burnham government will address this issue.”
The Guardian initiated its investigation after CT Group approached a freelance journalist and offered payment to pitch an article to a major British newspaper concerning challenges faced by the housebuilding industry caused by the Building Safety Regulator, established following the Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives.
CT Group is a lobbying firm with an annual turnover of approximately £40 million, whose recent clients have included tobacco company Philip Morris and the owner of Manchester City football club.
In a statement, CT Group said, “We do not comment publicly on client work and therefore cannot respond to the specific allegations you have raised.”
It claimed the events had been “deliberately mischaracterised” and that it had not engaged the undercover journalist or made any payment. The firm asserted that the journalist had been seeking work and “relentlessly pursued us for more than six months.”
The investigation has also highlighted concerns about the vulnerability of freelance journalism, which often involves irregular and low‑paying assignments.
“If reporters are being paid to place stories in papers by private companies, it breaches the essential buffer zone between lobbying and journalism,” said Martin Bright, a senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Essex.
“The market is extremely challenging for freelance journalists in today’s media environment,” he added. “They should never be exploited in this manner.”
