George Havenhand
Senior Legal ResearcherAbout
George is a UK-qualified solicitor and investigative researcher. After working as a litigator at a London-based firm, he joined legal action charity Reprieve to focus on the death penalty, drug policy, fair trial standards and British complicity in human rights abuses overseas. George held previous roles at the Charity Commission, NHS and Cafcass, and as chair of a mental health charity.
Posts by George Havenhand
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The UK’s framework for regulating ethical standards in government is not working. It’s time for an independent Ethics Commission.
12 February, 2021-
George Havenhand
Introduction The UK’s approach to regulating ethical standards in government is in dire need of reform. The patchwork of regulatory bodies has developed in response to scandals rather than as...
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Briefing: Is the government getting serious about conflicts of interest?
2 June, 2021-
Dr Daniel Beizsley
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George Havenhand
In light of the depth of concern at the government’s handling of conflict of interest issues, the new procurement policy note represents a useful clarification of the existing rules and policy frameworks. Disappointingly, it only introduces minor changes that fall far short of what is needed to fix what is clearly a broken system.
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Tribunal’s Covid loan scheme ruling should not let the government off the hook
10 January, 2023-
George Havenhand
Between March 2020 and March 2021, the government backed £80 billion in loans to help 1.6 million British businesses survive the pandemic. These loans provided crucial support but were designed...
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A “modest step in the right direction”– Peers accept amendment requiring UK political parties to identify and manage risks of donations from foreign powers
2 March, 2023-
George Havenhand
Members of the House of Lords last night took a small but significant step towards tackling the immense harm caused by foreign influence over the UK’s political system, with 207...
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Briefing:
10 May, 2023-
Dr Daniel Beizsley
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George Havenhand
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Time for a ‘Know Your Donor’ policy
10 May, 2023-
George Havenhand
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Dr Daniel Beizsley
Donations to political parties are essential to the functioning of our political process under the current system, but after a series of scandals and warnings from independent review bodies and...
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