Overview

• Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, used a taxpayer-funded private hire vehicle and driver instead of the government car service during her time in Cabinet.
• Officials repeatedly warned Badenoch about security risks, including the potential for the private vehicle to be bugged, but she renewed the contract in April 2024.
• Badenoch justified the arrangement, claiming the driver was security cleared and previously worked for the government car service, dismissing security concerns as unfounded.
• The Labour Party has called for Badenoch to disclose the costs of the arrangement and explain her decision to forgo the government car service used by other ministers.
• Badenoch's decision reportedly stemmed from a dispute with a government car service driver over punctuality and logistical issues early in her tenure as trade secretary.