Unlicensed ‘bank’ CEO’s Commons invite stokes access concerns

Vulnerability of MPs’ groups to influence of private firms highlighted by appearance at blockchain inquiry

Fresh questions have been raised about private firms gaining prestige and access to MPs through all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) after an unregulated “bank” with no UK licence gave evidence to an inquiry in the House of Commons.

The chief executive of Bandenia Challenger Bank spoke at an APPG inquiry into regulation in December, chaired by a Scottish National party MP, which was promoted using parliament’s official portcullis logo.