Varun Chandra, a senior business adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held 16 undisclosed meetings with executives from Google, Meta, Apple and other major US tech companies between October 2024 and October 2025. The meetings covered regulatory changes, artificial intelligence policy and the implications of Donald Trump's second administration. In at least one session, Chandra offered to facilitate direct access to Starmer for a top technology executive.
The undisclosed nature of these talks has triggered concerns about lobbying conducted outside public scrutiny. Chandra's position as a No. 10 business aide gives him direct influence over government policy affecting the technology sector. His discussions about regulatory matters with the world's largest tech corporations raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the transparency of government decision-making on tech regulation.
The meetings occurred during a period when the UK government has been shaping its approach to tech regulation, AI governance and trade relations with the United States. The revelation exposes potential back-channel influence on policy decisions that typically undergo public consultation and parliamentary review.