Mitchell faces ‘Chocfinger’ questions
By politics.co.uk staff
Andrew Mitchell’s personal intervention in a lobbying case involving a rich cocoa magnate triggered concerns among Foreign Office officials, it has emerged.
Civil servants reportedly questioned the appropriateness of the international development secretary’s involvement in a bid to improve business conditions in Ghana for businessman Anthony Ward, whose dominance of the global cocoa market has earned him the nickname ‘Chocfinger’.
Mr Ward’s firm Armajaro Holdings had been banned from trading in Ghana. The Sunday Times newspaper cited government papers obtained under freedom of information laws showing that Mr Mitchell had telephoned Britain’s high commissioner in Ghana on the issue.
Foreign Office minister Henry Bellingham subsequently succeeded in getting the ban lifted in all but one of Ghana’s districts, it was reported.
Mr Mitchell’s parliamentary office had received a £40,000 donation from Mr Ward.
The ministerial code states: “Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.”
The international development secretary has denied wrongdoing, however.
A spokesperson said: “The letter from Armajaro was dealt with in accordance with normal ministerial procedures and it was immediately made clear that the Conservative party had previously received donations from the company, as the documents released under FOI make clear.
“The matter was referred to the FCO through the normal channels.”
