Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "I think it is an appalling use of taxpayers' money. It is an absolute scandal.
"There should be a full inquiry and complete transparency over what money was used, who was paid, what meetings were held, who took the minutes of those meetings. And it should all be put in the public domain."
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister told the BBC, "My door is always open to LEPs. Other ministers I know speak to LEPs all the time so heaven knows why they need pay well-heeled consultants to do that job for them."
Stephen McPartland MP, added, "I have called on the Chairman of the Hertfordshire LEP to resign before and this lobbying scandal is another example of why he must go."
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