David Cameron to be forced to come clean about ambitions for ‘closer EU ties’

David Cameron takes swipe at Boris Johnson

David Cameron is set for an afternoon of potentially embarrassing headlines, as he faces a double whammy of a grilling in the Lords and the first publication of his ministerial register of interests.

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton faces his first lengthy probe in front of the Lords’ European Affairs Committee at 3pm, where he will face 13 peers.

The appearance comes after Lord Cameron said Britain needs closer ties with the EU, sparking fears among the Tory right he is trying to “reignite” a debate about Brexit.

Any reference by Lord Cameron about the EU at his committee hearing will be scrutinised closely, given the nature of his departure from Downing Street almost immediately after losing the Brexit referendum in 2016.

Since returning to Government, the new Foreign Secretary has insisted he is fully committed to Brexit, despite warning during the referendum it could lead to a global recession and/or World War 3.

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Speaking to BBC News after his unexpected return to frontline politics, Lord Cameron said the UK must act as “a friend, a neighbour and the best possible partner” to Europe.

He said: “There’s no doubt that Britain is the leading European power in helping Ukraine. I heard that over and over again from the president downwards. But we’re doing that in partnership with our European colleagues. So I think we can make ‘friend, neighbour and partner’ work, and I’m determined to do so.”

Sir John Redwood demanded Lord Cameron now make clear he believes in Brexit, tweeting he should “measure that he supports the 2019 manifesto to get Brexit done”.

He said: “He needs to set out how proud he is of the UK now we are free of EU law and taxes.”

Despite Lord Cameron’s assurances he’s now a believer in Brexit, last night Rishi Sunak joked at a drinks reception of Tory MPs that he’s planning on giving his foreign secretary “a government pamphlet on the benefits of Brexit” for Christmas.

One Lords European Affairs Committee told Politico this morning that the hearings will be “quite a major moment”.

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They said Peers will ask Lord Cameron broad questions about UK-EU relations, rather than getting “bogged down in the technicalities”.

The committee will also likely cover issues of Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, EU enlargement and potential further cooperation between the UK and the EU on issues like defence and energy.

Onlookers will also be hoping for some scrutiny of Lord Cameron’s relationship with China since leaving Downing Street in 2016, which has raised eyebrows as more details emerge around his involvement with the country and his lobbying activities.

Lord Cameron may also face further embarrassment this afternoon, as his first formal Ministerial register of interests is set to be published.

Sir Laurie Magnus, the PM’s independent advisor on Ministers’ interests, reintroduced the bi-annual publication of ministerial interests this year, with his last update coming in July.

Lord Cameron is yet to have any interests published and may detail his external incomes, as well as areas of his business activities since leaving No. 10.

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