The Foreign Secretary spent three weeks in January lecturing in politics at NYU Abu Dhabi which is bankrolled by the Emirates.

Downing Street has published details of Lord Cameron’s links to the United Arab Emirates
which could have a “bearing on” his role as Foreign Secretary.

Rishi Sunak’s ethics adviser included the former prime minister’s role as a visiting professor at New York University Abu Dhabi in a new list of ministerial interests.

It comes just weeks after it emerged that the Foreign Office intervened to “soften” a Government letter about the UAE’s attempted takeover of The Telegraph.

Lord Cameron took a three-week role lecturing in politics at New York University’s Abu Dhabi operation, which is bankrolled by the UAE, back in January.

He taught students on a course about the “age of disruption” with topics including migration and Ukraine, according to state-owned newspaper The National. The list does not reveal how much Lord Cameron was paid.

Analysis of tax returns by student newspaper NYU News in 2019 showed the campus is “completely funded by the government of the United Arab Emirates”.

Sir Laurie said the criteria for inclusion on his list included “recent previous employment that may be perceived to have a bearing on their ministerial portfolio”.

‘Truly risible’ lack of disclosure

It comes as The Telegraph is subject to a takeover bid by RedBird IMI, a company funded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE vice president.

Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, has triggered a Public Interest Intervention Notice which requires scrutiny of the proposed sale on freedom of expression grounds.

However, in November, it was reported that the Foreign Office was involved in softening the language used by the Culture Secretary in a letter to the fund which is attempting to take over The Telegraph, amid fear of offending its Abu Dhabi backer.

It is understood that officials worried that the language could offend the UAE ahead of a London summit for foreign investors and Rishi Sunak’s trip to the Gulf for the Cop28 climate
conference.

Read more: telegraph.co.uk

Photo: telegraph.co.uk