John Laird

John Dunn Laird, Lord Laird has been an Ulster Unionist peer since 1999. He is a self-described "PR Guru" with his own PR and lobbying firm, Biscuit PR Consultancy in Mayfair, London. In June 2013 Laird was one of several peers targeted by undercover reporters, who offered cash incentives to ask questions in the House of Lords. Laird has denied allegations that he discussed a retainer for but resigned the Ulster Unionist party whip and referred himself to the standards committee. The party suspended him from the Westminster team after seeing footage filmed by the Sunday Times

A PR Guru and a "dapper, charismatic gentleman"

Laird's biography on his company website - headed 'Meet The Lord Laird of Artigarvan' - is accompanied by a grand portrait and makes much of his gentlemanly standing and connections:

Seventeen American Presidents, Davey Crockett and two astronauts (including Neil Armstrong) and John Lord Laird all hail from an Ulster Scots background. John Laird will have you charmed at first contact. This dapper, charismatic Gentleman Biscuit brings a broad experience in almost all areas of Public Relations. He has been professionally involved in public relations since 1972; initially through Government Information agencies in New York.

Lord Laird has an impressive list of credentials, both past and present: Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch of the Institute of Public Relations, Member of National Union of Journalists and Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Elected Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, the highest award made by the CIPR. Appointed a Professor of Public Relations one of only two appointed Visiting Professor of Public Relations in the United Kingdom. In 1999 he was awarded a life Barony under the title of Laird of Artigarvan and he continues to play an active role in the House of Lords as a Cross Bencher.

Considered a PR guru Lord Laird enjoys being able to share his knowledge. He has a vast insight into how administrations work because he has been involved with them first hand – he has lobbied in both America and European parliaments. This is one man you want shouting from your corner. Lord Laird is a man of his own time. Always observing, always thinking. Speaking to him you will get a sense that you are being listened to with both ears – note the slight tilt of his head and hands on his hips. He’ll follow up that listening with action.

His life’s ambition was to be a barrister or a stand-up comedian. ‘I wasn’t clever enough for one and the Law school was full so I couldn’t do the other.’ Public Relations became his true calling.

Resignation

Laird resigned the Ulster Unionist whip in early June 2013 after he was "alleged to have offered to carry out parliamentary work for cash after being caught in two separate stings by undercover journalists posing as lobbyists".

Affiliations

• European Azerbaijan Society - Chairman, Advisory Board since at least June 2010 - remunerated employment that includes giving public affairs advice
• Biscuit Public Relations (media & reputation management) - Principal until 19 October 2011
• Biscuit PR Consulting - from 9 October 2011 (no position declared)
• Zan Partners Limited (investment management) - Interest deleted from Lords' Register 10 April 2013
• Knight Communications - was a paid adviser until 30 January 2013
• Earth Foundation - Chairman, Advisory Board, Interest added to Lords' Register 4 April 2013
• Sabine Raabe - part of the Biscuit PR team

External resources

• Julian O'Neill, Lord Laird defends dealings with registered sex offender in Florida, BBC News, 21 March 2013.
• Steven Harkins, On the credibility of Lord Laird, Spinwatch, 2 June 2013
• Steven Harkins, Parliamentary pass to the House of Lords up for grabs on LinkedIn, Spinwatch, 2 June 2013