Boris faces questions over support for £150m deal signed by Welsh company that employed new spin chief Guto Harri (and was invited to No10 to celebrate St David’s Day!)
- Boris Johnson endorsed contract for the firm that his new spin chief worked for
- Guto Harri took team from Hydro Industries to No10 to ‘celebrate’ Egypt deal
- Labour has called for full transparency on Mr Harri’s links to companies
Boris Johnson is facing questions over his support for a £150million deal signed by a company that employed his new spin chief.
Guto Harri, a former adviser to Mr Johnson as London mayor, was a director of Hydro Industries when he went to No10 with a team from the firm in February 2020.
They were ‘celebrating’ a $200million agreement for a water treatment plant in Egypt, praised by the PM as ‘exactly the type of contract in the post Brexit era that showcases the best of UK industry’.
The company tweeted a photo of Mr Harri and executives in front of the famous black door, with the message: ‘Hydro team at No10 today celebrating our $200m dollar deal with Egypt. Grateful for the PM’s support and encouragement.’
They also attended a St David’s Day reception at Downing Street the same day, according to the Guardian.
Hydro Industries tweeted a photo of Guto Harri and executives in front of the famous black door in February 2020, with the message: ‘Hydro team at No10 today celebrating our $200m dollar deal with Egypt. Grateful for the PM’s support and encouragement.’
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said it was an example of ‘cronyism’ and there must be ‘full transparency from Guto Harri about any shares, profit or ownership arrangements he maintains with Hydro Industries and disclosure of all contact he had with government before he took up his new appointment’.
Mr Harri has already come under fire for his lobbying on behalf of Chinese tech giant Huawei.
A No10 spokesman said: ‘Guto resigned as a director of Hydro Industries on taking up a position for No 10.’
Mr Harri has previously made clear on social media that he is proud to have worked for Hydro Industries.
The firm says it harnesses technology to ‘clean up industrial waste, protect the environment and provide safe drinking water to some of the world’s most disadvantaged’.
After Mr Harri’s new role was announced, the company tweeted: ‘Congratulations Guto from all the team at Hydro on your new appointment.
‘You brought incredible energy and skill to our business at all levels, helping in the journey of a Welsh based technology company build a global brand.’
Guto Harri, a former adviser to Mr Johnson (pictured this week) as London mayor, was a director of Hydro Industries when he went to No10 with a team from the firm
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