blog - Starting from scratch
mirrored from blogs.labour.org.uk/braindamage
tag usage
tag: The Atlantic Bridge
tag: The Atlantic Bridge
The Atlantic Bridge: related links
http://www.brianmoylan.info/theatlanticbridge/:
The (Conservative) Atlantic Bridge - Strengthening the Special Relationship (for other Conservatives)
The (Conservative) Atlantic Bridge - Strengthening the Special Relationship (for other Conservatives)
http://www.stephennewton.com/atlantic-bridge/:
The Atlantic Bridge: Think Tank or sham? Top Tories face Charity Commission investigation
'Following a complaint from this blogger, the Charity Commission has launched an inquiry into the status of the Atlantic Bridge, a charity whose main activity appears to be the sponsorship of predominantly private events at which senior Conservatives - including shadow cabinet ministers - and their US allies may bond behind closed doors.'
The Atlantic Bridge: Think Tank or sham? Top Tories face Charity Commission investigation
'Following a complaint from this blogger, the Charity Commission has launched an inquiry into the status of the Atlantic Bridge, a charity whose main activity appears to be the sponsorship of predominantly private events at which senior Conservatives - including shadow cabinet ministers - and their US allies may bond behind closed doors.'
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2009/10/leading-tory-charity-facing-investigation/:
Leading Tory charity facing investigation
'A Conservative charity, set up by Liam Fox, is being investigated by the Charity Commission. The Atlantic Bridge - which boasts five shadow cabinet ministers on its advisory council including George Osborne and William Hague, as well as Fox - claims its mission statement is, "the simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s."'
 |
'A Conservative charity, set up by Liam Fox, is being investigated by the Charity Commission. The Atlantic Bridge - which boasts five shadow cabinet ministers on its advisory council including George Osborne and William Hague, as well as Fox - claims its mission statement is, "the simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s."'
http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/2009/10/02/charity-inquiry-over-bias-to-tories-cancels-reception/:
Charity in inquiry over Tory bias; cancels party
'Following a complaint from blogger Stephen Newton, the charity Atlantic Bridge has had to cancel its reception at this year's Conservative Party conference where "members of the Shadow Cabinet [were to] be joined by a prominent American leader".
 |
'Following a complaint from blogger Stephen Newton, the charity Atlantic Bridge has had to cancel its reception at this year's Conservative Party conference where "members of the Shadow Cabinet [were to] be joined by a prominent American leader".
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Channels/Governance/Article/942767/Charity-Commission-investigates-charity-strong-Tory-links/:
Charity Commission investigates charity with strong Tory links
'Atlantic Bridge, founded by Liam Fox, is subject of compliance case
The Charity Commission has launched a formal investigation into the political neutrality of a charity that has strong links to the Conservative Party.
The commission said it had launched a "regulatory compliance case" that was looking at the connections between the Conservatives and Atlantic Bridge Education and Research Scheme.
Atlantic Bridge was founded in 1997 by Liam Fox, who is now the shadow defence secretary; its objectives include transatlantic communication and policy development between Britain and the US. The commission has received complaints that the charity is politically biased.
Its trustees include Fox, and its advisory board contains six members of the shadow cabinet, including shadow chancellor George Osborne, shadow foreign secretary William Hague and shadow home secretary Chris Grayling, as well as five American Republican senators and congressmen.
Atlantic Bridge declined to comment.'
Charity Commission investigates charity with strong Tory links
'Atlantic Bridge, founded by Liam Fox, is subject of compliance case
The Charity Commission has launched a formal investigation into the political neutrality of a charity that has strong links to the Conservative Party.
The commission said it had launched a "regulatory compliance case" that was looking at the connections between the Conservatives and Atlantic Bridge Education and Research Scheme.
Atlantic Bridge was founded in 1997 by Liam Fox, who is now the shadow defence secretary; its objectives include transatlantic communication and policy development between Britain and the US. The commission has received complaints that the charity is politically biased.
Its trustees include Fox, and its advisory board contains six members of the shadow cabinet, including shadow chancellor George Osborne, shadow foreign secretary William Hague and shadow home secretary Chris Grayling, as well as five American Republican senators and congressmen.
Atlantic Bridge declined to comment.'
http://www.stephennewton.com/atlantic-bridge-american-legislative-exchange-council/:
Tories' Atlantic Bridge to US tobacco, anti-healthcare and anti-green lobbies
I've been a quiet blogger of late, but those of you who have taken an interest in the Charity Commission's investigation of the Atlantic Bridge need not assume that I've let things go. You may recall that this organisation consists of at least two entities - a UK-based charity and a US-based charity - dedicated to 'the simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s.'
The Atlantic Bridge diverts money that would otherwise be collected as tax - and help pay for health, education, national debt or equipping troops in Afghanistan - to support the Thatcherite wing of the British Conservative Party and its US allies; US allies drawn from that country's pro-tobacco, anti-healthcare and anti-environmentalist lobbies.'
Tories' Atlantic Bridge to US tobacco, anti-healthcare and anti-green lobbies
I've been a quiet blogger of late, but those of you who have taken an interest in the Charity Commission's investigation of the Atlantic Bridge need not assume that I've let things go. You may recall that this organisation consists of at least two entities - a UK-based charity and a US-based charity - dedicated to 'the simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s.'
The Atlantic Bridge diverts money that would otherwise be collected as tax - and help pay for health, education, national debt or equipping troops in Afghanistan - to support the Thatcherite wing of the British Conservative Party and its US allies; US allies drawn from that country's pro-tobacco, anti-healthcare and anti-environmentalist lobbies.'
http://www.brianmoylan.info/guestbook.php?fbgroups#fbgroups:
a few facebook groups
(17th January 2010)
a few facebook groups
(17th January 2010)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6798460.ece:
Andy Burnham urges David Cameron to ban NHS critics from Tory conference
'Labour was accused of trying to smear David Cameron yesterday as the Tory leadership faced fresh challenges over links with Republicans and the controversial MEP who have all savaged the National Health Service.
Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, wrote to Mr Cameron calling on him to ban from the Tory conference members of the Atlantic Bridge group who have used the NHS as a weapon in their fight against President Obama's health reforms.
At the same time Michael Gove, the shadow schools secretary, was forced to distance himself from the remarks by Daniel Hannan, the MEP, who said he would not wish Britain's healthcare on anyone. Mr Gove insisted that he "emphatically disagreed" with Mr Hannan over the NHS.'
Andy Burnham urges David Cameron to ban NHS critics from Tory conference
'Labour was accused of trying to smear David Cameron yesterday as the Tory leadership faced fresh challenges over links with Republicans and the controversial MEP who have all savaged the National Health Service.
Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, wrote to Mr Cameron calling on him to ban from the Tory conference members of the Atlantic Bridge group who have used the NHS as a weapon in their fight against President Obama's health reforms.
At the same time Michael Gove, the shadow schools secretary, was forced to distance himself from the remarks by Daniel Hannan, the MEP, who said he would not wish Britain's healthcare on anyone. Mr Gove insisted that he "emphatically disagreed" with Mr Hannan over the NHS.'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mp-liam-foxs-expenses-appeal-rejected-1922049.html:
Tory MP Liam Fox's expenses appeal rejected
Liam Fox challenged the Legg Report's finding that he was overpaid by £22,000
'A former High Court judge today dismissed an appeal by shadow defence secretary Liam Fox against a finding that he was overpaid more than £22,000 in parliamentary expenses for mortgage interest on his second home.
Dr Fox was one of five MPs whose appeals were rejected by Sir Paul Kennedy - also including Communities Minister Shahid Malik, who was overpaid by £1,340 in expenses for council tax and a TV at his second home.'
Tory MP Liam Fox's expenses appeal rejected
Liam Fox challenged the Legg Report's finding that he was overpaid by £22,000
Dr Fox was one of five MPs whose appeals were rejected by Sir Paul Kennedy - also including Communities Minister Shahid Malik, who was overpaid by £1,340 in expenses for council tax and a TV at his second home.'
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/03/foxs-sri-lankan-jolly-under-scrutiny/:
Fox's Sri Lankan jolly under scrutiny
'Liam Fox's paid-for trips to Sri Lanka, which were revealed by Left Foot Forward last month, are mentioned today in a BBC investigation into MPs' overseas trips paid for by foreign governments.
The BBC, however, has overlooked an incident raised on our original story:
As Left Foot Forward said at the time, the incident occured amid rising allegations of war crimes perpetrated by the Sri Lankan army, and talks in Brussels of suspending a privileged trade agreement between Sri Lanka and the EU over human rights issues - which was indeed suspended last month.'
Fox's Sri Lankan jolly under scrutiny
The BBC, however, has overlooked an incident raised on our original story:
"In November 2009, Liam Fox spoke in favour of the Sri Lankan government in a Commons debate without mentioning he was in Sri Lanka the week before - at the country's expense - to attend the president's party convention."
As Left Foot Forward said at the time, the incident occured amid rising allegations of war crimes perpetrated by the Sri Lankan army, and talks in Brussels of suspending a privileged trade agreement between Sri Lanka and the EU over human rights issues - which was indeed suspended last month.'
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/archive/1018558/Charity-Commission-orders-Atlantic-Bridge-cease-its-current-activities-immediately/:
Charity Commission orders Atlantic Bridge to 'cease its current activities immediately'
Regulator says charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox promotes policy 'closely associated' with Conservative Party
The Charity Commission has told Atlantic Bridge, the charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox, that its "current activities must cease immediately" because it promotes a political policy closely associated with the Conservative Party.
In a regulatory case report about the charity, published yesterday, the commission said Atlantic Bridge's main charitable purposes were the futherance of public education and research on relations between Europe and North America.
But in practice its activities promoted the 'special relationship' between the UK and the US that was established when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were in power, the report says. The activities included conferences and a lecture series called the Margaret Thatcher series.
Charity Commission orders Atlantic Bridge to 'cease its current activities immediately'
Regulator says charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox promotes policy 'closely associated' with Conservative PartyThe Charity Commission has told Atlantic Bridge, the charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox, that its "current activities must cease immediately" because it promotes a political policy closely associated with the Conservative Party.
In a regulatory case report about the charity, published yesterday, the commission said Atlantic Bridge's main charitable purposes were the futherance of public education and research on relations between Europe and North America.
But in practice its activities promoted the 'special relationship' between the UK and the US that was established when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were in power, the report says. The activities included conferences and a lecture series called the Margaret Thatcher series.
http://www.stephennewton.com/charity-commission-judicial-review-atlantic-bridge/:
Charity Commission faces judicial review over Atlantic Bridge
Charity Commission faces judicial review over Atlantic Bridge
At the end of July the Charity Commission published the conclusion of what it called an 'engagement' with Tory charity the Atlantic Bridge. The trustees had agreed to relaunch the charity within a year as a non-party political organisation and that their 'current activities must cease immediately'. The new new Atlantic Bridge will not merely pay for senior Conservatives to rub shoulders with their US allies, but will make a meaningful and positive contribution to Anglo-US relations.
There is little doubt that this was a significant blow to those who would import US-style neo-conservatism to the UK.
But documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) confirm that the Charity Commission decided not recover any money misspent by the Atlantic Bridge on activities that even its trustees agree did not further its charitable objectives.
http://www.labourlist.org/atlantic-bridge-judicial-review-leaves-fox-hague-vulnerable:
Atlantic Bridge judicial review leaves Fox, Hague and co. vulnerable
By Stephen Newton
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that the Charity Commission was concerned that the decision bringing the activities of Tory charity the Atlantic Bridge to an end might lead to embarrassing questions around the role of founder Liam Fox the defence secretary, and fellow trustee Lord Astor of Hever. The documents also suggest that it was prepared to stonewall questions around charity money that had been misspent promoting the Conservative Party.
The commission's response to Freedom of Information requests confirms its decision not recover misspent charity money and adds to the impression that it has bent over backwards to protect the reputations of the senior Conservatives at the heart of this scandal. This is not as far fetched as it seems, as the commission has a statutory duty to protect the reputations of charities. But it is also obliged to ensure charities comply with the law and its failure to enhance the accountability of charities has led the Open Rights Group to campaign for greater transparency.
Now, working with solicitor Mark Lewis, who also finds himself at the centre of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, I have begun the process of seeking a judicial review of the agreement reached between the commission and Atlantic Bridge trustees. In both cases authorities appear to have chosen not to investigate serious allegations.
Atlantic Bridge judicial review leaves Fox, Hague and co. vulnerable
By Stephen Newton
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that the Charity Commission was concerned that the decision bringing the activities of Tory charity the Atlantic Bridge to an end might lead to embarrassing questions around the role of founder Liam Fox the defence secretary, and fellow trustee Lord Astor of Hever. The documents also suggest that it was prepared to stonewall questions around charity money that had been misspent promoting the Conservative Party.The commission's response to Freedom of Information requests confirms its decision not recover misspent charity money and adds to the impression that it has bent over backwards to protect the reputations of the senior Conservatives at the heart of this scandal. This is not as far fetched as it seems, as the commission has a statutory duty to protect the reputations of charities. But it is also obliged to ensure charities comply with the law and its failure to enhance the accountability of charities has led the Open Rights Group to campaign for greater transparency.
Now, working with solicitor Mark Lewis, who also finds himself at the centre of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, I have begun the process of seeking a judicial review of the agreement reached between the commission and Atlantic Bridge trustees. In both cases authorities appear to have chosen not to investigate serious allegations.
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2010/11/atlantic-bridge-parliament-dinner/:
Liam Fox's tax dodging dining club
A sham charity set up by Liam Fox wined and dined US conservatives in the House of Commons - and dodged its tax bill in the process. "Atlantic Bridge" was set up with the 'simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s' but was effectively shut down by the Charity Commission in July for breaking regulation on party political activity.
The organisation, whose "advisory council" includes George Osborne, Michael Gove, William Hague and Chris Grayling, entertained American friends at a dinner for 14 held in Parliament's reservation-only Club Room last November, according to documents seen by Scrapbook.* Configuring themselves as a charity, the organisation avoided tax obligations imposed on other political bodies. While already under investigation by British regulators, perhaps Fox and his pals fancied one last boozy hurrah before being ordered that their "current activities must cease immediately".
Despite a ruling which pointed out that that their so-called "Education and Research Scheme" hadn't, erm, performed any education or published any research, the group cheated British taxpayers of thousands of pounds. Blogger Stephen Newton, whose campaign against Atlantic Bridge brought the body to its knees, explains:
As a higher rate taxpayer, a £1,000 trip to see comedian James Hirsen in LA, for example, would be covered by a £600 donation. The remaining £400 would then be claimed from British taxpayers. It sounds like an invitation to take part in well planned, systematic corruption.
Funnily enough, the group don't seem keen on paying the cash back.
Doctor Fox and and his friends are on the wrong end of a judicial review to recover the money.
Liam Fox's tax dodging dining club
A sham charity set up by Liam Fox wined and dined US conservatives in the House of Commons - and dodged its tax bill in the process. "Atlantic Bridge" was set up with the 'simple aim of "Strengthening the Special Relationship" exemplified by the Reagan-Thatcher partnership of the 1980s' but was effectively shut down by the Charity Commission in July for breaking regulation on party political activity.
The organisation, whose "advisory council" includes George Osborne, Michael Gove, William Hague and Chris Grayling, entertained American friends at a dinner for 14 held in Parliament's reservation-only Club Room last November, according to documents seen by Scrapbook.* Configuring themselves as a charity, the organisation avoided tax obligations imposed on other political bodies. While already under investigation by British regulators, perhaps Fox and his pals fancied one last boozy hurrah before being ordered that their "current activities must cease immediately".
Despite a ruling which pointed out that that their so-called "Education and Research Scheme" hadn't, erm, performed any education or published any research, the group cheated British taxpayers of thousands of pounds. Blogger Stephen Newton, whose campaign against Atlantic Bridge brought the body to its knees, explains:
As a higher rate taxpayer, a £1,000 trip to see comedian James Hirsen in LA, for example, would be covered by a £600 donation. The remaining £400 would then be claimed from British taxpayers. It sounds like an invitation to take part in well planned, systematic corruption.
Funnily enough, the group don't seem keen on paying the cash back.
Doctor Fox and and his friends are on the wrong end of a judicial review to recover the money.
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?ID=200899&R=R1:
Kissinger apologizes for remark about "gassing Jews"
Former US secretary of state says in op-ed: Comments about Soviet Union Jews were taken out of context.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger apologized on Friday for saying during a conversation with president Richard Nixon in 1973 that it wouldn't be an American concern if the Soviet Union sent its Jews to the gas chambers.
Kissinger made the apology in a Washington Post opinion piece and said "references to gas chambers have no place in political discourse, and I am sorry I made that remark 37 years ago."
Kissinger apologizes for remark about "gassing Jews"
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger apologized on Friday for saying during a conversation with president Richard Nixon in 1973 that it wouldn't be an American concern if the Soviet Union sent its Jews to the gas chambers.
Kissinger made the apology in a Washington Post opinion piece and said "references to gas chambers have no place in political discourse, and I am sorry I made that remark 37 years ago."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/oct/05/charity-liam-fox-axed-watchdog:
Charity created by Liam Fox axed after watchdog issues criticism
A charity set up by Liam Fox, the defence secretary, has been dissolved by its trustees after criticism by the Charity Commission.
The Atlantic Bridge, which had already been suspended for promoting Conservative party policies in defiance of regulations, was founded by Fox and run by his close friend Adam Werritty.
Fox's relationship with Werrity was drawn into question when the Guardian revealed Werritty had visited Fox at Ministry of Defence offices 14 times in the past 16 months.
Fox installed Werritty, his best man and former flatmate, as the executive director and sole employee of the charity in 1997.
The charity was wound up by its trustees on Friday, following the commission's demand last summer that its "current activities must cease immediately" because "the activities of the charity have not furthered any of its other charitable purposes in any way".
The trustees decided to dissolve the charity rather than address the commission's concern that its primary objective appeared to be "promoting a political policy [that] is closely associated with the Conservative party".
Charity created by Liam Fox axed after watchdog issues criticism
A charity set up by Liam Fox, the defence secretary, has been dissolved by its trustees after criticism by the Charity Commission.
The Atlantic Bridge, which had already been suspended for promoting Conservative party policies in defiance of regulations, was founded by Fox and run by his close friend Adam Werritty.
Fox's relationship with Werrity was drawn into question when the Guardian revealed Werritty had visited Fox at Ministry of Defence offices 14 times in the past 16 months.
Fox installed Werritty, his best man and former flatmate, as the executive director and sole employee of the charity in 1997.
The charity was wound up by its trustees on Friday, following the commission's demand last summer that its "current activities must cease immediately" because "the activities of the charity have not furthered any of its other charitable purposes in any way".
The trustees decided to dissolve the charity rather than address the commission's concern that its primary objective appeared to be "promoting a political policy [that] is closely associated with the Conservative party".
http://bensix.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/notes-on-the-collapse-of-the-atlantic-bridge/:
Notes On The Collapse Of The Atlantic Bridge...
Liam Fox, our ridiculous Defence Secretary, has been in the news after it was revealed that he’s been giving a friend of his access to MoD files. This pal, the Guardian reports, had run a think tank Fox has established. This, coincidentally, was dissolved last week after the Charity Commission said that, well - its activities weren’t very charitable…
Notes On The Collapse Of The Atlantic Bridge...
Liam Fox, our ridiculous Defence Secretary, has been in the news after it was revealed that he’s been giving a friend of his access to MoD files. This pal, the Guardian reports, had run a think tank Fox has established. This, coincidentally, was dissolved last week after the Charity Commission said that, well - its activities weren’t very charitable…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/oct/07/adam-werritty-charity-liam-fox:
'Adviser' Adam Werritty ran charity from Liam Fox's office
Exclusive: MoD's top civil servant warned defence secretary over links to former flatmate
The crisis facing the defence secretary, Liam Fox, over his links to his self-styled adviser and friend, Adam Werritty, has deepened after it emerged that Werritty ran a controversial charity from inside Fox's office in the houses of parliament.
The Guardian has established that Werritty used Fox's room 341 in the MPs' block at Portcullis House as the official headquarters of a rightwing charity, the Atlantic Bridge, which works in conjunction with a major US business lobby group. The office was provided to Fox at taxpayers' expense while he was in opposition until last year.
It also emerged that between 2007 and 2010, Werritty earned more than £90,000 as chief executive of the Atlantic Bridge, and that the most senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence had warned Fox about his connections to Werritty. Ursula Brennan, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, told Fox to stop Werritty handing out business cards embossed with parliament's portcullis logo that describe him as an The crisis facing the defence secretary, Liam Fox, over his links to his self-styled adviser and friend, Adam Werritty, has deepened after it emerged that Werritty ran a controversial charity from inside Fox's office in the houses of parliament.
The Guardian has established that Werritty used Fox's room 341 in the MPs' block at Portcullis House as the official headquarters of a rightwing charity, the Atlantic Bridge, which works in conjunction with a major US business lobby group. The office was provided to Fox at taxpayers' expense while he was in opposition until last year.
It also emerged that between 2007 and 2010, Werritty earned more than £90,000 as chief executive of the Atlantic Bridge, and that the most senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence had warned Fox about his connections to Werritty. Ursula Brennan, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, told Fox to stop Werritty handing out business cards embossed with parliament's portcullis logo that describe him as an "adviser to the Rt Hon Dr Fox MP".
'Adviser' Adam Werritty ran charity from Liam Fox's office
Exclusive: MoD's top civil servant warned defence secretary over links to former flatmate
The crisis facing the defence secretary, Liam Fox, over his links to his self-styled adviser and friend, Adam Werritty, has deepened after it emerged that Werritty ran a controversial charity from inside Fox's office in the houses of parliament.
The Guardian has established that Werritty used Fox's room 341 in the MPs' block at Portcullis House as the official headquarters of a rightwing charity, the Atlantic Bridge, which works in conjunction with a major US business lobby group. The office was provided to Fox at taxpayers' expense while he was in opposition until last year.
It also emerged that between 2007 and 2010, Werritty earned more than £90,000 as chief executive of the Atlantic Bridge, and that the most senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence had warned Fox about his connections to Werritty. Ursula Brennan, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, told Fox to stop Werritty handing out business cards embossed with parliament's portcullis logo that describe him as an The crisis facing the defence secretary, Liam Fox, over his links to his self-styled adviser and friend, Adam Werritty, has deepened after it emerged that Werritty ran a controversial charity from inside Fox's office in the houses of parliament.
The Guardian has established that Werritty used Fox's room 341 in the MPs' block at Portcullis House as the official headquarters of a rightwing charity, the Atlantic Bridge, which works in conjunction with a major US business lobby group. The office was provided to Fox at taxpayers' expense while he was in opposition until last year.
It also emerged that between 2007 and 2010, Werritty earned more than £90,000 as chief executive of the Atlantic Bridge, and that the most senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence had warned Fox about his connections to Werritty. Ursula Brennan, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, told Fox to stop Werritty handing out business cards embossed with parliament's portcullis logo that describe him as an "adviser to the Rt Hon Dr Fox MP".
http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/10/11/revealed-liam-fox-and-werritys-links-to-the-tea-party/:
Revealed: Liam Fox and Werrity's links to the Tea Party
by Sunny Hundal
October 11, 2011 at 4:56 pm
In July last year, trustees of Atlantic Bridge, a charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox, agreed to cease all their current activities immediately.
The charity was founded to promote closer ties between senior Conservatives and their US allies, and was found by the Charity Commission of promoting party-political activity.
Liam Fox's close friend Adam Werrity was the executive director and sole employee of Atlantic Bridge.
This week the trustees finally agreed to dissolve Atlantic Bridge after agreeing that it could not continue its operations in any other way.
But as Labour MP Kevan Jones says:
Here is where it gets interesting.
Atlantic Bridge closely worked with a US group called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). According to ALEC:
Two US organisations - AlecExposed and Alecwatch - track its activities and accuse it of being a front group for corporate lobbyists.
But ALEC is mostly a front for the Koch foundation, is well known for lobbying on behalf of the tobacco industry, fighting Obama's healthcare reforms and promoting climate change denialism.
ALEC has also paid for flights for Daniel Hannan MEP to the United States, just before he started getting very complimentary about the Tea Party movement.
Atlantic Bridge should come clean over who was funding its activities.
Revealed: Liam Fox and Werrity's links to the Tea Party
by Sunny Hundal
October 11, 2011 at 4:56 pm
In July last year, trustees of Atlantic Bridge, a charity founded by defence secretary Liam Fox, agreed to cease all their current activities immediately.
The charity was founded to promote closer ties between senior Conservatives and their US allies, and was found by the Charity Commission of promoting party-political activity.
Liam Fox's close friend Adam Werrity was the executive director and sole employee of Atlantic Bridge.
This week the trustees finally agreed to dissolve Atlantic Bridge after agreeing that it could not continue its operations in any other way.
But as Labour MP Kevan Jones says:
We need to know who funded this organisation and exactly what Liam Fox and Adam Werritty's roles were.
This raises yet more questions about the connection between Fox and Werritty and people will expect full answers sooner rather than later. We need to be clear that the activities of the Atlantic Bridge had nothing to do with Liam Fox's activities as secretary of state for defence.
Here is where it gets interesting.
Atlantic Bridge closely worked with a US group called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). According to ALEC:
The project aims to foster positive relationships between conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic, so that they may further the ideals exemplified by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.So what is ALEC all about? The group is mostly funded by the backers of the Tea Party - the Koch Foundation - to the tune of $608,858 between 1997 and 2009.
Two US organisations - AlecExposed and Alecwatch - track its activities and accuse it of being a front group for corporate lobbyists.
But ALEC is mostly a front for the Koch foundation, is well known for lobbying on behalf of the tobacco industry, fighting Obama's healthcare reforms and promoting climate change denialism.
ALEC has also paid for flights for Daniel Hannan MEP to the United States, just before he started getting very complimentary about the Tea Party movement.
Atlantic Bridge should come clean over who was funding its activities.
