David Lammy is facing possible legal action over proposals to invite staff from the oil firm Shell and the defence firm BAE Systems to work inside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Foreign Secretary first suggested the scheme in March, in a speech at the Chambers of Commerce, where he argued the FCDO would have to undergo a "sustained cultural transformation" to fully represent the interests of business.
Lammy said: "Today I have written to the CEOs of some of the UK’s largest firms offering to send diplomats on placements to each of them, building on existing examples of placements at firms like Barclays and Octopus Energy, and offering each of them the opportunity for members of their teams to spend time gaining experience in the FCDO."
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
However, the minister has since been warned of a potential conflict of interest and "improper influence" within the Government.
David Lammy is facing possible legal action
|GETTY
While Lammy aims to use the firms to gain commercial experience for his office staff, private sector workers will be offered roles in the FCDO.
Nicholas Hildyard, the founder and director of environmental organisation, The Corner House, raised serious concerns over human rights and international law.
He said: "This scheme cries out for judicial scrutiny. Seconding employees from powerful corporations to the Foreign Office or other ministries and vice versa is a recipe for potential serious conflicts of interest.
"Both Shell and BAE Systems have been accused of human rights violations in the past. This alone places them on a collision course with the Government’s stated commitment to upholding human rights and international law."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Lammy aims to use the firms to gain commercial experience for his office staff
| GETTYIn a letter, Lammy said his ambassadors around the globe had been tasked with helping “our companies in landing contracts, overcoming market access barriers, and winning investment internationally”.
He wrote: "I believe that the FCDO and Shell have a strong shared endeavour in trying to interpret and navigate the fast-evolving geopolitical context."
In June, Lammy reportedly invited staff from Shell and BAE Systems into Whitehall diplomatic roles to help "champion their interests overseas".
Lammy told the Times: "I will always put the economic interests of British workers first.”
David Lammy has since been warned of a potential conflict of interest and 'improper influence' within the Government
| PAAn FCDO Spokesperson said: "We strongly reject these suggestions and make no apology for striking new partnerships with British businesses to harness their expertise, champion their interests overseas and drive growth for the British public.
As with existing secondments, clear standards will be rigorously applied with regards to confidentiality, information security and management of potential conflicts of interest.
"Secondments between the Civil Service and the private sector are commonplace. This placement will provide the Foreign Office with valuable awareness of UK business needs and improve our understanding of how UK foreign and economic policy interacts with commercial strategy."
GB News has approached Shell and BAE Systems for comment.