David Cameron today faced questions over top aide Lynton Crosby and his links to alcohol and tobacco firms.
Measures restricting the products in England appeared to be set back just as it emerged that Mr Crosby’s lobbying company had represented alcohol and tobacco groups in Australia.
A minimum price for a unit of alcohol and plain cigarette packaging had been expected by some in the Queen Speech but were not mentioned.
The businessman’s firm Crosby Textor is listed on the New South Wales government’s register of lobbyists as having worked for the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia.
The body includes giants such as Diageo, which also opposed minimum pricing for alcohol in the UK.
Crosby Textor also worked in Australia for British American Tobacco, which opposes plain cigarette packaging. Mr Crosby has been credited with streamlining the Government’s programme to focus on issues that appeal to voters and discard those that do not.
Labour questioned whether his links to the firms created a conflict of interest in his role advising the Prime Minister.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: “From the outside it looks very much like a Right-wing lobbyist is dictating the Coalition’s health policy.”
However, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt dismissed any idea the measures had been shelved for good, suggesting a decision was yet to be taken.
He explained that a legal dispute on minimum pricing in Scotland had delayed a decision in England. Speaking on BBC radio, he went on: “I want to make sure we do the job properly so I’m going to take the time that I need to.”
A No 10 spokesman said consultations had been undertaken on both minimum pricing and plain packaging and ministers were considering results before making a decision.
