Cameron Hired Emma Harrison Knowing Fraud Allegations Already In Place

A4e fraud allegations known before David Cameron picked 'families champion'

David Cameron is facing fresh questions over the choice of Emma Harrison as his “families champion” as it emerged the Government knew about fraud allegations against her firm at the time.
By Rowena Mason, Political Correspondent
27 Feb 2012

The Department for Work and Pensions was told about accusations against Mrs Harrison’s company, A4e, in November 2010, the month before she was made a Government adviser.

It also knew about the allegations five months before A4e was awarded new Government contracts worth around £440 million to help get unemployed people into work.

Liam Byrne, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, last night wrote to the Government demanding answers over who knew about the investigation and whether the Prime Minister was informed at the time.

Iain Duncan-Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has now been asked to clarify whether he was personally aware of the alleged fraud, if he told the Prime Minister and whether he will publish all correspondence relating to the accusations.

“Given that your Department knew about the allegations, they go to the issue of the Government’s judgment in how it dealt with them,” Mr Byrne said in his letter.

Mr Byrne yesterday also asked the department to publish how well A4e has actually performed at getting unemployed people into jobs through the new Work Programme.

“Billions of pounds of public money are at stake in the Government’s Work Programme and I have constantly pressed you to be straight with the public on its effectiveness,” he said.

Allegations that former A4e employees falsely claimed jobless people had been placed in work is now the subject of a police investigation, which has already led to four arrests.

Mrs Harrison resigned from her job as a Government adviser and from A4e last week as she did not want to be a “distraction” while the investigation continues. There is no suggestion she had any part in any wrongdoing.

Yesterday, A4e hit back against fresh claims by whistleblowers that its staff stole vouchers intended to help the unemployed get new clothes in preparation for job interviews.

A spokesman for the company said: “A4e purchases these vouchers. It’s our profit margin that is affected by buying them, not the taxpayer. We are not aware of any such alleged fraud nor have we been informed by Thames Valley Police of such an investigation. If this alleged activity had come to light we would undertake our own robust internal investigation.” Telegraph