A lobbying company run by former Labour cabinet minister Jim Murphy has caused a stir after offering companies £30,000 to sponsor a tech event, including VIP dinner access and photo opportunities with ministers.
VIP Package Sparks Questions
Arden Strategies, Murphy’s firm, is hosting a “Future of Tech Summit” in London this July. Sponsorship documents offered attendees perks such as a three-minute speech, ten passes to a drinks reception, introductions to stakeholders, and one seat at a private dinner with top advisers to the prime minister and chancellor. The package also promised a photo opportunity with Science Secretary Liz Kendall.
However, a government source said Kendall was not aware of the offer and never agreed to attend the event. A Downing Street representative confirmed that no staff had received a formal invitation to the dinner. Similarly, Treasury officials were unaware of any invitations extended to advisers of Labour’s Rachel Reeves.
Firm Apologizes for ‘Clumsy Language’
Arden Strategies issued a statement calling the promotional material “stupid” and apologizing for the “clumsy language” in the sponsorship document. The company admitted it mentioned attendees who had not been confirmed.
Jim Murphy’s Lobbying Background
Murphy, a former minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, founded Arden Strategies after losing his parliamentary seat in 2015. His firm has represented major arms manufacturers, oil companies, and energy giants. It has also supported more than 30 prospective Labour MPs ahead of the 2024 general election.
The company is not listed with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), which requires members to disclose all public affairs clients. Former Labour MPs Anna Turley and Holly Lynch, as well as business minister Blair McDougall, have worked at Arden Strategies, though there is no suggestion they were involved in offering VIP access.
Political Career of Jim Murphy
Murphy served as a Labour MP for 18 years and held ministerial positions, including Europe Minister and Scottish Secretary. He later became shadow defence secretary and shadow international development secretary under Ed Miliband, briefly led Scottish Labour, and lost his East Renfrewshire seat in 2015.
