Nandy apologises over donor breach in football watchdog role

DONATIONS to Labour made by the chairman of the new football watchdog were discussed in his interview for the role, Lisa Nandy has said amid Opposition calls for a fresh probe into the appointment.

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But the culture secretary said any contribution by David Kogan to her former leadership campaign was not raised, as she apologised “unreservedly” for failing to meet “the highest standards” during the process.

An independent investigation found Ms Nandy “unknowingly” breached the code on public appointments by failing to declare she had received two donations totalling £2,900 from Mr Kogan, a media rights expert, in 2020.

Sir Keir Starmer reprimanded her by saying “the process followed was not entirely up to the standard expected” but said Ms Nandy had “acted in good faith”.

However, the Tories have asked Parliament's standards watchdog to investigate what they described as a “serious breach of public trust’.

‘The Opposition has also called on the UK Government's independent ethics adviser to probe whether the Prime Minister risked a conflict of interest over the appointment.

Ms Nandy says Mr Kogan was approached by the previous Conservative government, “who began this process” for the role.

Asked whether it was discussed at his interview that he was a Labour donor, the culture secretary told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: “It was discussed at the interview, it just wasn’t discussed that he donated specifically to me because I didn’t know about that.