Former Spy Chief Joins No. 10—Still Pulling Strings with Shell’s Spooky Sidekicks at Hakluyt

Posted by John Donovan: 13 Oct 2024

In today’s edition of “What the Actual Fu**?”, Varun Chandra, the former head honcho of Hakluyt—yes, that shady spy firm founded by ex-MI6 agents—has sauntered into a cushy role as one of Keir Starmer’s senior advisers. And wouldn’t you know it, Chandra’s still got his greasy fingers in Hakluyt’s AI investment fund, which coincidentally backs several AI firms with multimillion-pound contracts, including a cozy deal with the NHS. But don’t worry, folks, no conflict of interest here! It’s all just business as usual when you’re operating in Shell’s morally bankrupt universe of corruption and cover-ups.

For those unfamiliar with Hakluyt (where have you been?), it’s that delightful “strategic advisory” firm with a side hustle in spying on Shell’s enemies—like Greenpeace. Because, when you’re an oil giant hell-bent on polluting the planet, why not team up with some ex-MI6 spooks to keep the pesky environmentalists at bay? This little-known yet highly effective arrangement between Shell and Hakluyt was confirmed by none other than Shell critic and truth-digger John Donovan, who’s been shining a light on these dirty dealings for years.

Chandra, now comfortably advising the UK government on AI policy, hasn’t quite cut ties with his former espionage crew at Hakluyt. He still holds a stake in a $50 million AI-backing investment fund that he helped set up while at the company. And surprise, surprise—this fund backs some of the same companies now set to benefit from government AI policies. Who could’ve seen that coming?

But let’s not forget the man behind the AI review itself, Matt Clifford, a financier connected with Hakluyt. A venture capitalist with ties so deep to Hakluyt Capital, he probably has an “honorary spy badge” by now. He and Chandra even co-chaired a high-level meeting with major AI companies in Downing Street—because who better to steer the future of AI in Britain than two guys with direct financial interests in the industry? It’s basically the Shell playbook: profit first, ethics later (or never).

And speaking of Shell, let’s not forget their longtime investor BlackRock, which, like a silent partner in this grand heist, quietly collects dividends while the world burns.

Hakluyt, despite its best efforts to distance itself from its spy-game origins, still operates like a shadow government, with operatives drawn from the ranks of former MI6 agents, embassy staff, and government insiders. And they’re not shy about using their “vast network” to help companies like Shell stay one step ahead of regulators and activists. Fun fact: Hakluyt even organized a discreet dinner for Labour MP Peter Kyle, the UK’s secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology—though Kyle conveniently forgot to mention it in any of his public declarations.

While civil society organizations scream about the dangers of AI being overhyped and under-regulated, it’s the same old story. Industry giants like Shell, with their loyal spy friends at Hakluyt, are rigging the system from the inside, making sure their profits are safe while the rest of us deal with the fallout. As Mariano delli Santi from the Open Rights Group so aptly put it, these AI companies and investors are “greatly overstating” the benefits of AI, while downplaying the risks. And, as usual, they’re the ones who stand to cash in on taxpayer money, while the rest of us get stuck footing the bill.

So there you have it—another day, another round of Shell’s shady dealings with their spy-linked pals at Hakluyt, all while quietly reshaping the future of AI in their image. Because who needs transparency when you’ve got a former MI6-backed company whispering in the ears of government officials? The future’s looking bright—if you’re Shell, that is. The rest of us? Not so much.

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