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Letter from Mr W G Poeton, The Union of
Independent Companies to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Allegations of misconduct made against
Sir Michael Grylls MP
This is a written statement by me in an endeavour
to assist you in your consideration of Sir Michael Grylls, MP's,
response to your letter of 28 January. I have read Sleaze:
the Corruption of Parliament, have viewed the relevant Channel
4 programme and have taken The Guardian daily for the last
thirty years! I first met Sir Michael almost 20 years ago
when he championed the smaller independent business cause in
his private member's bill, the Employment Opportunities (Small
Business) Bill.
Since then I have become a close friend and
dedicated colleague in pursuit of better government for the UK.
I have been fully aware of his association with many professional
lobbyists, some of whom were not in sympathy with the aspirations
of the small-and medium-sized business sector (SMEs). Having observed
his approach to the problems faced by SMEs, I can vouch unreservedly
for his working methods, his incorruptibility and utter indifference
to the prospect of self-gain whatever the largesse on offer from
"big" business or its agencies.
I think it most unfair to associate Sir Michael
with so much wrongdoing, as in the publication, Sleaze.
I am of the view that it is the procurers of these public
relations activities who lack integrity and should be interrogated
in addition to most of the MPs whom you are questioning.
I hope that you also find of assistance the
enclosed draft article[67]
which I have written for the 21st Anniversary celebrations of
the Small Business Bureau, of which Sir Michael has been Honorary
Chairman for 18 years.
W G Poeton
President
7 February 1997
67 Not printed. Back
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