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British Energy calls in Liddell for nuclear counsel |
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PR Week
Written by Ravi Chandiramani
Published on December 10 2004
British Energy has enlisted former energy minister Helen Liddell to
provide strategic advice on issues surrounding nuclear power?s role in
government energy policy.
Liddell said she would help the firm 'refine ideas and point out the
nature of questions it is likely to face [from policy makers]'. She
added: 'If we are to address climate-change issues, nuclear [energy]
needs to play a big part.'
Liddell's appointment has been
cleared by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. She will
not lobby on behalf of the company nor advise over the restructure of
its massive debt.
Liddell, who is the MP for Airdrie and Shotts,
was minister for energy and competitiveness in Europe from 1999 to
2001. British Energy said Liddell?s consultancy fee for the current
financial year would be between £10,000 and £15,000.
The Prime
Minister has nominated Liddell to become the next British high
commissioner to Australia to succeed Sir Alistair Goodlad, should
Labour win the next general election.
Earlier this year, British
Energy dropped Hill & Knowlton as its retained PA adviser after 14
years. It then pulled out of a deal to hand the contract to Bell
Pottinger Public Affairs after it discovered the director assigned to
the account, Neil Stockley, had in the past put his name to
anti-nuclear policy papers.
Head of external affairs Carl
Gibson said Liddell?s appointment would be ?more valuable than an
agency telling me I should be involved in the debate?.
Last
week, MP Llew Smith tabled an Early Day Motion slamming the fees
consultants stand to pocket from British Energy in bonuses, including
more than £1m to Financial Dynamics. |
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