David Davis launches a scathing attack on the government’s close relationship with big business

David Davis has launched a broadside against the PM – and especially the government’s relationship with big business (or “crony capitalism” as he calls it) – in an interview with Prospect Magazine. The former leadership challenger (who lost out to Cameron in 2005) has spoken out against the government’s handling of Hester’s RBS bonus, tax avoidance and the media. Interestingly, the quotes have come to light on the same day as fellow Tory right big hitter Liam Fox returns to the fray. Co-incidence? Perhaps, but not a happy one for the PM. Read a few of the quotes below:

On Stephen Hester and RBS

“Apparently the government…feared Hester would quit if it vetoed the bonus. So what?”

On Cameron’s close relationship with the media

“David Cameron has accepted in parliament that he got too close to newspaper proprietors after becoming leader. It is arguable that the Leveson inquiry should be looking as much at the behaviour of political leaders as at the behaviour of newspaper editors.

On big business

“Wherever you look in Whitehall the government is too close to big business

On tax avoidance

“Then there are the revelations that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has allowed some of the world’s biggest companies to pay far less tax than they owe. Companies that have allegedly benefited from HMRC’s generosity have been investigated by the Public Accounts Committee following reports in the media and dismay among the public.