Phoenix Community Capital case shines light on UK’s lobbying problem

Interest groups have poured an estimated £250,000 into all-party parliamentary groups over the past five years

• Crypto firm with links to parliamentary groups appears to have vanished

For more than a decade, those worried about the reputation of parliament have warned that all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) can be a problem.

Their supporters say they are a place for like-minded parliamentarians to discuss topics of special interest. But despite their unofficial nature and with no formal role in the legislative process, APPGs can be a magnet for those who want to get close to MPs and peers – or to pretend that they are for the sake of polishing their reputations.