TIPS Newsletter | June 2026 – TI-UK: ‘The House of Lords has become a lobbying network for hire’

Dear TIPS member,

In June 2026, Transparency International UK (TI-UK) published an investigation into the lobbying risks created by paid political advisory roles held by members of the House of Lords. The report highlights how current rules allow potential conflicts of interest to persist, particularly through peers’ links to advisory roles, lobbying firms, and political consultancy activities. The investigation identifies three main priorities for reform:

• Paid Political Advisory Roles: The report found that 128 peers hold paid political advisory roles presenting a significant lobbying risk, many with extensive political experience and networks. TI-UK calls for stronger restrictions to prevent parliamentary influence and expertise from being commercially leveraged.

• Links to Lobbying Firms: The investigation highlights concerns over peers holding senior roles in lobbying and political advisory firms, including as directors, founders, and advisers. Clearer rules are needed to address conflicts between public responsibilities and private interests.

• Parliamentary Standards and Oversight: The report calls for tighter rules, including restricting peers’ ability to retain interests in organisations involved in client lobbying, narrowing exemptions on paid lobbying, strengthening misconduct rules, and improving transparency.

The investigation concludes by calling for stronger safeguards, clearer ethical standards, and reforms to ensure political influence is not treated as a service available for hire.

Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for June 2026. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 - the TIPS team

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1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)

TIPS | How Corruption Manifests in Britain – in Conversation with Robert Barrington

14 July 2026, 6.30–9.00pm BST, Charles River Associates, London (Register here)

TIPS x EQS | Summer Social

16 July 2026, Caravan King's Cross, London  (Details here)

EQS Connect London | From Compliance Activity to Compliance Impact

16 July 2026, Meta King’s Cross, London (Register your interest)

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2. Recent Events

TIPS x Consilio x Meta | Whistleblowing Investigations in the Age of AI

On 30 June 2026, the TIPS Network partnered with Consilio and Meta to host an interactive workshop on the role of artificial intelligence in whistleblowing investigations. Facilitated by Buddy Eastwood (Consilio), the session featured insights from Josie Welland (Sidley Austin), Tom Roberts (PwC, seconded to Meta), and Samer Jannoun (Meta), who explored the practical challenges and opportunities of conducting investigations in an increasingly AI-enabled environment.

Moving beyond the traditional panel discussion, attendees participated in a live whistleblowing investigation scenario, navigating key decision points in which each panellist defended a distinct position: human-led investigations only; non-generative AI-assisted tools; and generative AI models. The discussion highlighted the strengths and limitations of each approach, ultimately recognising AI’s potential in investigations, alongside the continued importance of experience, judgement, and oversight.

We thank Meta for kindly hosting the event, and Consilio for delivering the interactive workshop and providing refreshments.

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3. Jobs Board

Corporate Investigations (Conduct and Ethics) Senior Counsel, London, Accenture. Apply here.

Head of Enhanced Due Diligence and Complex Cases, London, Metro Bank (UK). Apply here.

Global Investigator – EMEA, Remote, TRM Labs. Apply here.

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4. Items of Interest

TI Publications

• Breaking the Silos: A Practical Guide to Fighting Corruption with a Human Rights-Based Approach. Read here.

• Connecting the Dots: How FIUs Expose Corrupt Money Flows and How They Could Do More. Read here.

• Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned. Read here.

• Resilience at Risk: Defence Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read here.

TI Blogs and News

• Financial intelligence units: Powerful tools against corruption if governments let them work. Read here.

• Whistleblower protection in 2026: the gap between law and reality. See here.

Podcasts

• Kickback: The Global Anti Corruption Podcast. 151. Bonnie Palifka on Measuring Progress in Anti-Corruption and Its Evolving Challenges. Listen here.

• Kickback: The Global Anti Corruption Podcast. 150. Matthew Stephenson and Liz David-Barrett on Trends in Corruption and Anti-Corruption. Listen here.

Other items

• Lobbying review: an opportunity not to be missed. See here.

• Government sets out its plan for making the FCA the super-regulator for money laundering. See here.

• UK clamps down on shady networks supplying Putin’s illegal war with new sanctions package. See here.

• UK warns it could take action over crown dependencies’ lack of transparency. See here.

• How Westminster rolled out the red carpet for crypto’s savviest CEO. See here.

• Court of Justice of the EU annuls European Court of Auditors’ refusal to authorise staff testimony in EPPO investigation. See here.

• How countries are joining forces to tackle cross-border corruption. See here.

• Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit. See here.

• Prosecutors fighting major corruption cases in Italy now risk criminal charges. See here.

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5. Support TI-UK's Campaign

Take action: Tell your MP to tackle big money in politics

As Parliament debates the Representation of the People Bill, Transparency International UK is urging supporters to ask their MP to back reforms that would cap political donations, limit campaign spending and strengthen transparency.

Send a postcard to your MP and help call for a political system that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest. Enter here.

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6. Focus on...

Magdaline Mwangi

Lawyer

Why did you get involved with the TIPS Network?

My involvement with The TIPS Network started as an internship for my MA in Corruption and Governance at the University of Sussex. During the internship, as a Kenyan lawyer, I quickly realised that TIPS provided a valuable opportunity to not only connect with other lawyers but also to learn how their work intersected with the efforts meant to promote transparency, integrity, accountability and sustainability in business.

Please describe your experience as part of the TIPS Network.

TIPS has given me the opportunity to be involved in identifying speakers, planning and publishing events, and producing newsletters, leading to my involvement in the advocacy and outreach efforts of the Network (and by extension TI-UK). It has also played a role in shaping my professional aspirations. I am therefore now seeking my next professional challenge.

Connect with Magdaline on LinkedIn here.