LOBBYISTS have been secretly recorded claiming that two government ministers are helping their business by providing them with sensitive information.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the prisons minister, and Stephen Ladyman, the transport minister, were named during a two-month investigation into “cash for access” by The Sunday Times.

The lobbyists claimed Sutcliffe was prepared to hand over his private Whitehall diary to them, while Ladyman was claimed to have divulged information on policies such as road-charging. Their close relationship with Golden Arrow Communications, a London-based lobbying firm, was witnessed by an undercover reporter working for the firm.

Golden Arrow employs David Jamieson, a former transport minister, as a consultant and Ivan Henderson, a former Labour MP and ministerial aide, to forge contacts with government.

Henderson was taped claiming that Sutcliffe, who became prisons minister last May, had offered the lobbying firm access to his diary so they could work out how to benefit from future government announcements.

Henderson said: “He [Sutcliffe] is saying to us, ‘Come on, you use me’. That is what Gerry is actually saying . . . ‘I am there to be used. I want to help you. Use me’.”

The firm, which specialises in transport issues, was allegedly urged by Sutcliffe to get involved in Home Office work. Golden Arrow then discussed using construction companies to train and rehouse prisoners.

Henderson further claimed that Ladyman, a minister since 2003, had divulged a series of government announcements.

Describing his relationship with Ladyman, Henderson said: “Every time I e-mail him, he comes right back . . . He says ‘Ivan, this is what the score is’. He has never turned me down yet. He has gone over the top really. It is a bit dodgy sometimes.”

Ladyman is also said to be in close contact with Jamieson, who is paid £250 an hour by Golden Arrow. Jamieson said he often text-messaged Ladyman useful information during meetings and the minister would offer help in return.

Ex-ministers are supposed to have any jobs taken within two years of leaving office vetted by a Whitehall’s committee. Jamieson has not sought approval from the committee.

Last night both ministers confirmed they had discussed government business with the lobbyists and that they were “friends” with the firm’s employees. However, both strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Sutcliffe said: “Ivan and David are party colleagues of mine and I have known them for many years. It is widely known that one of the government’s central reforms in offender management is the increased use of the voluntary and private sector in prisons and probation. Therefore it is no surprise that I have talked to a range of people about harnessing the skills and experience of companies and other organisations to reduce reoffending.”

Ladyman said: “David Jamieson and Ivan Henderson are friends and former colleagues. We have obviously talked about transport issues and politics but I am careful not to disclose inappropriate information.”

The allegations will prompt fresh concerns about how business is able to use lobbyists to gain access to decision-makers. After almost a decade in power, there are now up to a dozen former Labour ministers assisting firms in their relationship with the government.

This weekend David Davis, the shadow home secretary, called for an independent investigation into Sutcliffe’s behaviour.

Golden Arrow said there was “no question of any impropriety”. It added: “We are political consultants and made no secret of our political connections and past political roles. However, our relationship with MPs and ministers is and has always been entirely proper.”

Times Recommends

• Times Christmas appeal: Letter from the Editor
• Conferences — what a waste of money
• Schools supremo learns a painful lesson