Watchdog criticised for clearing ex-defence secretary Shapps to join missile maker

Published on August 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Watchdog criticised for clearing ex-defence secretary Shapps to join missile maker

Former minister can take up role as chair of Cambridge Aerospace – as long as he avoids defence matters

The watchdog that monitors government ministers’ professional appointments after leaving office has been criticised for clearing Grant Shapps, a former Conservative defence secretary, to join Cambridge Aerospace 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 defence company Cambridge Aerospace.

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Grant ShappsPoliticsUK newsDefence policyArms tradeConservatives

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