Guardian UK5/3/2026PoliticsUnited Kingdom
Starmer aide held 16 undisclosed meetings with US tech giants including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Apple and Meta
Varun Chandra discussed AI, regulatory changes and Trump with executives while helping secure £150bn investment promises
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- Varun Chandra, chief business adviser to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, held 16 undisclosed meetings with senior executives from six major US tech companies between October 2024 and October 2025.
- The meetings covered AI policy, regulatory reform and Trump's second term, with Chandra offering to connect executives directly with the prime minister.
- The disclosures, obtained after a 12-month FOI battle, raise questions about lobbying transparency as political advisers are not required to declare such meetings.
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Varun Chandra, chief business adviser to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, held 16 undisclosed meetings with senior executives from six major US tech companies between October 2024 and October 2025. The meetings covered AI policy, regulatory reform and Trump's second term, with Chandra offering to connect executives directly with the prime minister. The disclosures, obtained after a 12-month FOI battle, raise questions about lobbying transparency as political advisers are not required to declare such meetings. Chandra's role was expanded this year to include US trade envoy responsibilities.
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This article was originally published by Guardian UK.
