Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses

An influential government adviser close to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech executives, the Guardian can reveal. The No 10 business aide, Varun Chandra, discussed regulatory changes, AI and Donald Trump's second administration with tech corporations during confidential meetings between October 2024 and October 2025. In one meeting, Chandra offered to help a top executive meet the prime minister directly.

The meetings, which were not publicly disclosed, have raised fears of 'lobbying behind closed doors'. Chandra's discussions with tech giants including Google, Meta, and Apple have sparked concerns about the potential for undue influence on UK policy. The Guardian's findings have prompted questions about the transparency and accountability of the UK government's decision-making processes.

As a key adviser to Starmer and Reeves, Chandra's role in shaping policy has significant implications for the country's tech industry. Chandra's meetings with US tech bosses have covered a range of topics, including the regulation of AI and the potential impact of a second Trump administration on the tech industry. While the details of the meetings remain scarce, the fact that they were not publicly disclosed has raised eyebrows among transparency campaigners.

The UK government has faced criticism in recent years for its close ties with the tech industry, with some accusing ministers of being too close to Silicon Valley's interests. The revelation of Chandra's undisclosed meetings is likely to fuel concerns about the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.