Whose fingers, which pies?

Time to institute an irregular series. Hasn't got a name yet, but its purpose is to promote transparency in British journalism.

If you know of an editor or senior journalist who uses their pages to promote their outside interests, which they neglect to tell readers about, email me. I'll use this blog to shine a light.

Proper journalistic standards apply. I don't do gossip or hearsay. I need evidence. Sources may remain anonymous. Their identity will be protected.

Awards will be made as we go. The newly instituted "Charles Arthur Award" will go to the hack who falls back most readily on the twin defence of "honest guv, I don't get paid much and the deadline was tight."

Now back to this story.

As Michael Kenward suggests, it would be helpful if Arthur could provide a declaration of where co-writer Mike Cross's vested interests lie. I believe Cross does corporate work. For whom? Are his clients always in industries entirely unconnected with what he wrote here, and in his regular column? Has he been recently paid by any company that might stand to benefit from the "crown jewels" campaign?

Les