Politics Code of Conduct

Public Affairs Code of Conduct This Code of Conduct covers the activities of all staff, interns, freelancers or consultants employed by Chelgate Limited (the ‘firm’) who engage in any form of communication with a UK government minister, Permanent Secretary or equivalent, relating to the functions, policy or legislation of the British government on behalf of a paying client.

Political practitioners are required to adopt and observe the principles and duties set out in this code of conduct in relation to their business dealings for clients with Senior UK government officials. Whilst the code of conduct only covers communication with Senior UK government officials, its general principals should also apply to any dealings with politicians, government officials or representatives of the UK Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, regional and local government bodies and agencies, public bodies, the European Commission and political parties. The Code of Conduct applies the principles that public affairs practitioners should be open and transparent in their dealings with Senior UK government officials and that there should be no financial relationship between them. The firm is determined to act at all times with the highest standards of integrity and in a professional and ethical manner reflecting the principles applied by this Code.

DEFINITIONS ‘public affairs practitioners’ means a person offering public affairs services to a client on behalf of the firm, whether that person is employed, full or part-time, is a freelance, an intern or a consultant. ‘Senior UK government officials’ means a UK government minister, Permanent Secretary or equivalent. ‘client’ means a third party organisation on whose behalf the firm communicates in return for payment. A client can be anyone, including private companies, charities and individuals. ‘public affairs services’ means offering any advice, representation, research, monitoring or administrative assistance concerning government policy, legislation, the award of contracts, grants, licences or similar benefits or the exercise of any other government function on behalf of a paying client.

THE CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. Public affairs practitioners must act with honesty towards clients and Senior UK government officials.
  2. Public affairs practitioners must not make misleading or exaggerated claims to clients about, or otherwise misrepresent, the nature or extent of their access to Senior UK government officials.
  3. In making representations to Senior UK government officials, public affairs practitioners must be open in disclosing the identity of their clients and must not misrepresent their interests.
  4. Public affairs practitioners must use reasonable endeavours to satisfy themselves of the truth and accuracy of all statements made or information provided to clients or by or on behalf of clients to Senior UK government officials.
  5. Public affairs practitioners must advise clients where any of their activities that deliberately and intentionally interact with Senior UK government officials may be illegal, unethical or contrary to professional practice, and to refuse to act for a client in pursuance of any such activity.
  6. With the exception of entertainment and token business mementos, public affairs practitioners must not offer or give, or cause a client to offer or give, any financial or other incentive to any Senior UK government officials that could be construed in any way as a bribe or solicitation of favour.
  7. Public affairs practitioners must not accept any financial or other incentive, from whatever source, that could be construed in any way as a bribe or solicitation of favour.
  8. Public affairs practitioners must ensure that they do not benefit unreasonably by actions of any third party that, if undertaken by the public affairs practitioners would be considered a breach of the Code.

In all their activities and dealings, public affairs practitioners must be aware at all times of the importance of observing the principles and duties set out in this Code to protect and maintain their own reputation, the good name and success of the firm and the standing of the profession as a whole.

March 2015