Ex-defence secretary Shapps criticised as he is cleared to join missiles start-up

Former defence secretary allowed to take role as chair of Cambridge Aerospace, as long as he avoids defence matters

The parliamentary standards body has been criticised for clearing Grant Shapps, a former Conservative defence secretary, to join a defence startup as long as he promises not to work on defence matters.

In a ruling that drew scorn from political ethics experts, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which monitors and advises on the revolving door between Westminster and the business sector, gave Shapps the green light to become the chair of Cambridge Aerospace.