Peter Bingle

This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch.

Peter Bingle is a high-profile lobbyist, who was the Chairman and former MD of Bell Pottinger Public Affairs (BPPA) from 2001 until May 2012. Known as the man "who never knowingly underlunched" Bingle has spoken out vociferously against the regulation of the lobbying industry and the Coalition goverments planned 'lobbyists register', arguing that "public affairs is an honourable profession" that "leads to better government".

He announced he would be leaving BPPA in May 2012 to "pursue new interests" including forming his own political consultancy called Peter Bingle Consulting. His move came as Bell Pottinger moved towards a buyout led by Chime chairman Lord Bell who told PRWeek: "Peter Bingle is going to pursue his own affairs. He’s decided to go off and do his own thing."

Bingle commented that he was giving up "the best job in politics":

I have had the most fantastic time over the last eleven years. BPPA has become a major force in the public affairs market and we have developed a reputation for being best in class as well as the best fun to work with. All good things must come to an end, however, and now is the right time for me to pursue what I have wanted to do for some time. I have therefore decided to give up the best job in politics. During my time at BPPA there is one person who has always supported me. Tim Bell has been a great boss and a wonderful friend.”

Twitter

@Parsifal2

@PeterBingle

Four days after leaving BPPA Bingle tweeted:

Day four of my new life and I have never been happier. I might even apply to be a contestant in the next series of The Apprentice ...

Resources

• Tamasin Cave, Bell Pottinger exposes weakness of self-regulation, Alliance for Lobbying Transparency, 8 December 2011