A member of the House of Lords, Richard Dannatt, has requested assistance from a senior British diplomat for a goldmining venture in Ghana in which he holds shares. He characterized his appeal as being “in the UK national interest.” This development raises questions regarding potential breaches of parliamentary lobbying rules, as Dannatt is already under scrutiny for previous lobbying activities involving several companies.
In January 2024, Dannatt, who serves as an unpaid senior adviser to Blue International, reached out to Harriet Thompson, the then-high commissioner for Ghana. He sought diplomatic support for Blue International’s Ghanaian subsidiary, Future Global Resources, which was experiencing financial difficulties at its Bogoso-Prestea mine.
Documentation obtained via freedom of information requests shows that Dannatt informed Thompson that the company’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange was at a “critical juncture” and that they needed support from the Ghanaian minister of land. He mentioned that the company faced significant opposition and requested a video conference to discuss next steps.
Dannatt maintains that he has complied with all parliamentary rules and has declared his interests while engaging with officials. He emphasized that he intended to donate any proceeds from his shares to charity. A director at Blue International stated that Dannatt had provided “political advice” to the firm.
The Foreign Office reported that following Dannatt’s request, there was subsequent engagement with Ghanaian authorities, resulting in a satisfactory outcome. However, concerns remain about whether his actions contravene rules which prohibit members from seeking to profit from their position in the House of Lords.
The broader context includes earlier investigations into Dannatt’s lobbying activities, including attempts to secure government funding for commercial ventures where he was involved. His shares in Blue International have become publicly tradable following a recent business combination, although the value is uncertain due to the revocation of the company’s lease at the Bogoso-Prestea mine, a matter currently subject to international arbitration.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/28/peer-uk-diplomat-ghana-gold-mining-venture-shares-richard-dannatt