‘Bonkers’ and ‘baffled’ – Cameron’s increasingly incredulous texts on fintech firm

The ex-prime minister’s sent more than 70 messages to ministers and officials regarding Greensill Capital

Credit: PA

Former prime minister David Cameron sent more than 70 text messages to ministers and officials in an attempt to get Greensill Capital access to a coronavirus lending scheme, it has been revealed.

A tranche of texts and emails to cabinet ministers, Treasury permanent secretary Sir Tom Scholar and others, handed over by Cameron and published by the Treasury Committee, have laid bare the extent of the lobbying the former PM did on behalf of the fintech company.

The messages, spanning three months in 2020, show Cameron becoming increasingly more insistent that officials examine proposals put forward by Greensill to extend the Covid Corporate Financing Facility to include supply-chain finance – the area in which the now-defunct firm specialised.

The published correspondence began last March, when Cameron texted Scholar asking if “Sir John C” – John Cunliffe, deputy governor at the Bank of England – was still working at the bank, adding: “Can I give you lunch once the budget is done?”

An email exchange that followed showed Cameron setting up a call with Cunliffe to discuss remarks made by Bank of England governor Andrew Bailed about supplychain finance. “I do a lot of work with Greensill Capital, now the world leaders in this space. We would be keen to help,” the ex-PM told Cunliffe in an email on 5 March 2020 – the first message setting out his work for the company.

In a later email to James Benford, economic director at the Treasury, Cameron said Greensill would be “keen to step [in] and help during the current difficulties” and proposed a meeting with Lex Greensill.

Later texts show Cameron setting up calls with Cunliffe, Scholar and others.


Related articles


In a text to Scholar on 6 March 2020, Cameron said he “never quite understood how rate cuts help a pandemic”. After a redacted section, the message continued: “I am riding to the rescue with supply chain finance with my friend Lex Greensill.”

Later the same month, Cameron told the perm sec he was “glad you are at the helm” during “impossibly difficult times”.

“We (Greensill) are in discussion with BofE about supply chain finance market and how to keep it open. Thought it would be good for you to see our proposal (v similar to 2008). So a letter from Lex Greensill is on its way to you. Hope that’s ok. Will also send a copy to Rishi. Unlike most of the problems we are facing right now, this one has a solution.”

Later in March, Cameron’s chief of staff texted Sheridan Westlake, senior special adviser to the prime minister, requesting contact details for Treasury second perm sec Charles Roxburgh. On 1 April, Cameron told Scholar “the message from Charles R is that they are engaging positively with Greensill’s new proposal and seeking to get time with the CX [chancellor] to get a decision. That is good, but this is getting urgent… please do all you can to expedite this and not get us stuck in the pending tray!”

Two days later, Cameron told Scholar he was “genuinely baffled” that Greensill’s proposal had been turned down. “Can I have five minutes for a call? This seems bonkers,” he told the perm sec.

The same day, he sent a flurry of texts to ministers in an apparent attempt to overturn the Treasury’s refusal to extend the Covid Corporate Financing Facility to include supply-chain finance – meaning Greensill was blocked from the scheme.

A message to chancellor Rishi Sunak asked for a “quick word” to discuss what Cameron said he thought was “a simple misunderstanding I can explain”. A second text to Westlake, the PM’s adviser, asked “why this is seen as tricky” and if there were other barriers that he did not know about.

Cameron also contacted financial secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman about a “problem for SMEs that you can help solve”, and asked both Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and economic secretary to the Treasury John Glen for a “word”.

In the following days, Cameron sent a series of messages to ministers and to Scholar indicating he had spoken to the chancellor and that “one more high-level chat” between Scholar, Roxburgh and Greensill would seal the deal.

“V much hoping – as agreed with CX – that you will be on the call,” he said in a message to Scholar on 7 April.

But a text to Sunak later the same month indicated his optimism had been misplaced, saying the “situation is still stuck”. “Could you try and give it another nudge over the line,” he asked.

In a response previously published by the Treasury, the chancellor said he had “pushed the team to explore an alternative with the Bank that might work”.

There were several messages between Cameron and Sunak over the following month, with Cameron initially positive about “huge progress” thanks to the chancellor’s intervention. But on 18 May, he asked Sunak to push Roxburgh to look at a final proposal from Greensill, intended to address the Treasury’s concerns that extending the lending scheme to supply-chain finance could be construed as giving support to foreign firms.

In May, Cameron also reached out to business minister Nadhim Zahawi – who he said had been “v solid on the media” – and Richard Sharp, then a member of the Bank of England’s financial policy committee, in what appeared to be a last-ditch attempt to get the proposals through.

Cameron’s lobbying was ultimately unsuccessful, and Greensill Capital collapsed earlier this year.

The messages were published yesterday by the Treasury Committee of MPs, which is conducting an inquiry into the lessons learned from the Greensill lobbying scandal.

‘Full responsibility’
Appearing before the Treasury Committee yesterday, Lex Greensill said he bore “complete responsibility” for fintech firm’s collapse. 

“I am desperately saddened that more than 1,000 very hard-working people have lost their jobs at Greensill. Likewise, I take full responsibility for any hardship being felt by our clients and their suppliers, and indeed by investors in our programmes,” he said.

“I am desperately saddened that more than 1,000 very hard-working people have lost their jobs at Greensill. Likewise, I take full responsibility for any hardship being felt by our clients and their suppliers, and indeed by investors in our programmes.”
Lex Greensill

Greensill denied being a fraudster and insisted his business had been viable and transparent when questioned by MPs who suggested this may not have been the case.

“The business that we undertook was properly described, all of our investors understood exactly what they were purchasing,” he told the committee. “In any investment there is risk but we took the history and current activity of our clients… which enabled us to see what was going to happen in the future and allow business to be able to access credit… for the private and public sector.”

Before its demise, Greensill was often cited as one of the leading exemplars of the success of the UK’s fintech sector, as well as achieving so-called ‘unicorn’ status: a term applied to start-up tech firms valued at $1bn or more. At its zenith, the company’s worth was pegged as high as $7bn.

However, the credentials of its proprietary technology have been called into question since the company hit the wall, as it was unable to conclude a deal to sell its intellectual property and IT systems – even at a cut-price valuation of $60m, less then one-hundredth of the amount at which the firm was once valued.

 

Sam Trendall

Learn More →

104 thoughts on “‘Bonkers’ and ‘baffled’ – Cameron’s increasingly incredulous texts on fintech firm

  1. Jorgedak January 22, 2025 at 9:35 am

    Mexican Easy Pharm: medicine in mexico pharmacies – Mexican Easy Pharm

  2. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 7:28 pm

    https://predpharm.com/# Pred Pharm
    prednisone for cheap

  3. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 7:10 am

    https://cytpharm.com/# buy cytotec pills
    prednisone cream over the counter

  4. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 3:13 pm

    https://predpharm.shop/# Pred Pharm
    prednisone cream

  5. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 11:21 pm

    https://semapharm24.shop/# semaglutide tablets for weight loss
    how to get prednisone tablets

  6. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 7:05 am

    https://semapharm24.com/# rybelsus semaglutide tablets
    400 mg prednisone

  7. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 2:27 pm

    https://cytpharm.com/# cytotec buy online usa
    prednisone tablets canada

  8. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 9:51 pm

    https://cytpharm.com/# Misoprostol 200 mg buy online
    prednisone in mexico

  9. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 4:54 am

    http://kamapharm.com/# super kamagra
    prednisone 4mg tab

  10. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 12:08 pm

    https://semapharm24.com/# cheap semaglutide pills
    prednisone online

  11. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 6:08 pm

    https://cytpharm.com/# Cyt Pharm
    prednisone 10 mg daily

  12. Albertruith January 28, 2025 at 5:57 am

    http://cytpharm.com/# buy cytotec over the counter
    prednisone in india

  13. MichaelVon January 28, 2025 at 6:24 pm

    https://farmatadalitaly.shop/# farmacia online
    acquistare farmaci senza ricetta

  14. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 9:17 am

    The Philippines has several world-class integrated resorts. https://phmacao.life/# The casino experience is memorable and unique.

  15. Josephbycle January 31, 2025 at 11:27 am

    taya365 taya365 com login Slot machines attract players with big jackpots.

  16. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 2:18 pm

    Casino promotions draw in new players frequently. http://winchile.pro/# Muchos casinos ofrecen restaurantes y bares.

  17. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 7:14 pm

    The ambiance is designed to excite players. http://taya777.icu/# Players must be at least 21 years old.

  18. Josephbycle January 31, 2025 at 7:57 pm

    phtaya casino phtaya Live music events often accompany gaming nights.

  19. WilliamTraix January 31, 2025 at 11:55 pm

    Gaming regulations are overseen by PAGCOR. https://phmacao.life/# The Philippines has several world-class integrated resorts.

  20. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 4:02 am

    phtaya login phtaya.tech Casinos often host special holiday promotions.

  21. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 4:36 am

    Many casinos host charity events and fundraisers. https://phmacao.life/# Most casinos offer convenient transportation options.

  22. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 9:18 am

    The Philippines offers a rich gaming culture. http://taya365.art/# The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.

  23. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 12:05 pm

    taya365 taya365 Players enjoy a variety of table games.

  24. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 2:05 pm

    Casinos offer delicious dining options on-site. http://taya777.icu/# Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction.

  25. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    Visitors come from around the world to play. https://winchile.pro/# Los casinos ofrecen entretenimiento en vivo.

  26. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 8:12 pm

    winchile casino winchile.pro Los casinos organizan noches de trivia divertidas.

  27. WilliamTraix February 1, 2025 at 11:43 pm

    Slot machines attract players with big jackpots. https://phtaya.tech/# The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.

  28. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 3:42 am

    Los torneos de poker generan gran interГ©s.: winchile casino – winchile casino

  29. WilliamTraix February 2, 2025 at 4:56 am

    Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction. https://jugabet.xyz/# Las experiencias son Гєnicas en cada visita.

  30. Josephbycle February 2, 2025 at 5:06 am

    taya365 taya365 Gaming regulations are overseen by PAGCOR.

  31. Josephbycle February 2, 2025 at 3:17 pm

    jugabet casino jugabet chile Las apuestas deportivas tambiГ©n son populares.

  32. Josephbycle February 3, 2025 at 1:17 am

    win chile winchile.pro Algunos casinos tienen programas de recompensas.

  33. LannyRinly February 3, 2025 at 4:54 am

    The casino industry supports local economies significantly.: taya365.art – taya365

  34. LannyRinly February 3, 2025 at 10:10 am

    Los jugadores deben conocer las reglas.: winchile casino – winchile

  35. Josephbycle February 3, 2025 at 11:03 am

    taya777 login taya777 app A variety of gaming options cater to everyone.

  36. WilliamTraix February 3, 2025 at 11:48 am

    Live music events often accompany gaming nights. https://winchile.pro/# Las promociones atraen nuevos jugadores diariamente.

  37. LannyRinly February 3, 2025 at 3:18 pm

    Los pagos son rГЎpidos y seguros.: winchile – winchile.pro

  38. Josephbycle February 3, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    taya777 login taya777 app Live music events often accompany gaming nights.

  39. WilliamTraix February 3, 2025 at 10:42 pm

    Many casinos offer luxurious amenities and services. http://taya777.icu/# Most casinos offer convenient transportation options.

  40. Josephbycle February 4, 2025 at 6:34 am

    phtaya phtaya casino The gaming floors are always bustling with excitement.

  41. CharlesThofs February 4, 2025 at 4:57 pm

    canada drugs coupon code https://familypharmacy.company/# family pharmacy

  42. PorterveW February 4, 2025 at 5:48 pm

    online pharmacy prescription discount drug mart discount drugs

  43. CharlesThofs February 4, 2025 at 9:54 pm

    online pharmacy discount code https://easycanadianpharm.shop/# easy canadian pharm

  44. WillieBut February 5, 2025 at 1:00 am

    best online canadian pharmacy: best canadian pharmacy – easy canadian pharm

  45. PorterveW February 5, 2025 at 2:23 am

    easy canadian pharm easy canadian pharm pharmacy com canada

  46. CharlesThofs February 5, 2025 at 3:05 am

    online canadian pharmacy coupon https://easycanadianpharm.com/# easy canadian pharm

  47. CharlesThofs February 5, 2025 at 8:57 am

    best online pharmacy no prescription https://megaindiapharm.com/# MegaIndiaPharm

  48. WillieBut February 5, 2025 at 12:31 pm

    family pharmacy: online pharmacy delivery usa – online pharmacy delivery usa

  49. PorterveW February 5, 2025 at 1:16 pm

    xxl mexican pharm xxl mexican pharm xxl mexican pharm

  50. CharlesThofs February 5, 2025 at 2:55 pm

    canadian pharmacy no prescription https://discountdrugmart.pro/# canadian pharmacy without prescription

  51. CharlesThofs February 5, 2025 at 8:52 pm

    canadian pharmacy coupon code https://megaindiapharm.com/# indianpharmacy com

  52. PorterveW February 6, 2025 at 12:08 am

    easy canadian pharm onlinepharmaciescanada com easy canadian pharm

  53. WillieBut February 6, 2025 at 12:11 am

    xxl mexican pharm: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – medicine in mexico pharmacies

  54. CharlesThofs February 6, 2025 at 2:46 am

    canadian pharmacy coupon code https://easycanadianpharm.com/# easy canadian pharm

  55. WillieBut February 6, 2025 at 6:01 am

    drugmart: canadian pharmacy world coupon code – drug mart

  56. CharlesThofs February 6, 2025 at 8:43 am

    canadian pharmacy coupon code https://easycanadianpharm.com/# easy canadian pharm

  57. PorterveW February 6, 2025 at 10:54 am

    discount drug pharmacy drugmart discount drug mart

  58. WillieBut February 6, 2025 at 11:56 am

    online pharmacy delivery usa: Online pharmacy USA – family pharmacy

  59. CharlesThofs February 6, 2025 at 8:57 pm

    rx pharmacy no prescription https://xxlmexicanpharm.com/# purple pharmacy mexico price list

  60. PorterveW February 6, 2025 at 9:38 pm

    discount drug mart discount drugs discount drug mart pharmacy

  61. CharlesThofs February 7, 2025 at 2:43 am

    canadian pharmacy no prescription http://xxlmexicanpharm.com/# mexican mail order pharmacies

  62. WillieBut February 7, 2025 at 5:25 am

    canadian 24 hour pharmacy: legit canadian pharmacy – legal to buy prescription drugs from canada

  63. CharlesThofs February 7, 2025 at 8:17 am

    canadian pharmacy coupon code https://easycanadianpharm.shop/# canada pharmacy reviews

  64. PorterveW February 7, 2025 at 8:23 am

    canadian pharmacy 1 internet online drugstore canadian compounding pharmacy canadian pharmacy uk delivery

  65. CharlesThofs February 7, 2025 at 2:02 pm

    canadian pharmacy coupon https://xxlmexicanpharm.com/# xxl mexican pharm

  66. WillieBut February 7, 2025 at 10:28 pm

    discount drug mart pharmacy: drugmart – discount drug mart pharmacy

  67. CharlesThofs February 8, 2025 at 1:41 am

    online pharmacy discount code https://familypharmacy.company/# Cheapest online pharmacy

  68. PorterveW February 8, 2025 at 5:55 am

    drugmart discount drug mart pharmacy discount drug mart pharmacy

  69. CharlesThofs February 8, 2025 at 7:29 am

    online pharmacy non prescription drugs http://xxlmexicanpharm.com/# xxl mexican pharm

  70. CharlesThofs February 8, 2025 at 1:14 pm

    online pharmacy discount code http://easycanadianpharm.com/# canadian pharmacies that deliver to the us

  71. PorterveW February 8, 2025 at 4:29 pm

    Mega India Pharm MegaIndiaPharm world pharmacy india

  72. CharlesThofs February 8, 2025 at 5:56 pm

    canadian pharmacy no prescription needed https://megaindiapharm.com/# Mega India Pharm

  73. CharlesThofs February 8, 2025 at 10:29 pm

    mail order pharmacy no prescription https://megaindiapharm.shop/# MegaIndiaPharm

  74. MichaelSep February 9, 2025 at 1:40 am

    uk pharmacy no prescription https://megaindiapharm.shop/# indian pharmacy

  75. PorterveW February 9, 2025 at 2:44 am

    drugmart no prescription needed canadian pharmacy pharmacy online 365 discount code

  76. CharlesThofs February 9, 2025 at 2:58 am

    canada drugs coupon code https://xxlmexicanpharm.com/# xxl mexican pharm

  77. CharlesThofs February 9, 2025 at 7:36 am

    canadian pharmacy no prescription http://megaindiapharm.com/# п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india

  78. AaronLiz February 9, 2025 at 1:05 pm

    preman69.tech preman69 slot Mesin slot dapat dimainkan dalam berbagai bahasa

  79. JamesErype February 9, 2025 at 1:17 pm

    Mesin slot dapat dimainkan dalam berbagai bahasa https://preman69.tech/# Banyak pemain mencari mesin dengan RTP tinggi

  80. JamesErype February 9, 2025 at 6:13 pm

    Slot dengan grafis 3D sangat mengesankan http://bonaslot.site/# Mesin slot digital semakin banyak diminati

  81. AaronLiz February 9, 2025 at 8:59 pm

    slot demo gratis slotdemo Slot memberikan kesempatan untuk menang besar

  82. JamesErype February 10, 2025 at 3:05 am

    Kasino menyediakan layanan pelanggan yang baik https://preman69.tech/# Slot menjadi bagian penting dari industri kasino

  83. AaronLiz February 10, 2025 at 4:37 am

    slot demo gratis slot demo gratis Slot menjadi daya tarik utama di kasino

  84. Davidsputt February 10, 2025 at 3:01 pm

    http://garuda888.top/# Kasino mendukung permainan bertanggung jawab

  85. JamesErype February 10, 2025 at 3:31 pm

    Keseruan bermain slot selalu menggoda para pemain https://slotdemo.auction/# Bermain slot bisa menjadi pengalaman sosial

  86. AaronLiz February 11, 2025 at 1:52 am

    garuda888 garuda888.top Pemain sering mencoba berbagai jenis slot

  87. Davidsputt February 11, 2025 at 9:53 am

    https://preman69.tech/# Slot menawarkan berbagai jenis permainan bonus

  88. AaronLiz February 11, 2025 at 11:17 pm

    BonaSlot BonaSlot Mesin slot menawarkan berbagai tema menarik

  89. Davidsputt February 12, 2025 at 9:04 am

    https://slot88.company/# Slot dengan pembayaran tinggi selalu diminati

  90. Davidsputt February 12, 2025 at 1:45 pm

    https://slot88.company/# Slot dengan pembayaran tinggi selalu diminati

  91. WillieAgirm February 12, 2025 at 5:42 pm

    Pemain sering mencoba berbagai jenis slot https://preman69.tech/# Pemain sering berbagi tips untuk menang

  92. Davidsputt February 12, 2025 at 6:27 pm

    http://slot88.company/# Slot klasik tetap menjadi favorit banyak orang

  93. AaronLiz February 12, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    slotdemo slot demo pg gratis Kasino di Bali menarik banyak pengunjung

  94. JamesErype February 13, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    Banyak kasino memiliki program loyalitas untuk pemain http://slotdemo.auction/# Pemain bisa menikmati slot dari kenyamanan rumah

  95. Virgilnus February 13, 2025 at 6:04 pm

    doxycycline 500 mg capsules Dox Health Pharm buy cheap doxycycline

  96. Brianobemo February 13, 2025 at 8:15 pm

    amoxicillin 500mg prescription: buy amoxicillin 500mg uk – amoxicillin generic brand

  97. Brianobemo February 14, 2025 at 1:32 am

    doxycycline 100mg capsules cost: doxycycline 50 mg buy uk – doxycycline online singapore

  98. Virgilnus February 14, 2025 at 2:58 am

    where buy generic clomid price ClmHealthPharm how to buy clomid price

  99. Brianobemo February 14, 2025 at 7:06 am

    buy clomid pills: can you buy generic clomid without a prescription – order clomid price

  100. Robertadola February 14, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    http://doxhealthpharm.com/# where can i get doxycycline

  101. Virgilnus February 14, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    zithromax 250mg Zithro Pharm zithromax 500 mg for sale

  102. Robertadola February 14, 2025 at 7:15 pm

    https://doxhealthpharm.com/# doxycycline prescription australia

  103. Brianobemo February 14, 2025 at 7:24 pm

    order doxycycline online: DoxHealthPharm – doxycycline 50mg capsules

  104. BrandonMug February 14, 2025 at 9:12 pm

    zithromax cost uk: ZithroPharm – how to get zithromax

Leave a Reply