Blair and Clegg Hosted Private Dinner with Tech Leaders

Published: 11 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and ex-deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg hosted a private dinner earlier this year that granted a select group of technology entrepreneurs direct access to a senior government minister, according to newly released documents. The event, organised by Blair in his role as head of the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), was held at a high-end London hotel and reflected the former leaders’ ongoing involvement in promoting technological innovation in public policy.

Blair, a long-time advocate of the transformative potential of technology, has consistently emphasised the role AI and other emerging technologies could play in improving public services. Through his consultancy, TBI, Blair has produced numerous policy papers urging governments to place artificial intelligence at the heart of decision-making and service delivery. Clegg, who at the time served as a senior executive at Meta overseeing global affairs and policy, co-hosted the dinner alongside Blair.

The gathering included leaders from six prominent technology companies and provided them with an opportunity to meet Poppy Gustafsson, the government’s investment minister responsible for encouraging domestic and foreign businesses to invest in Britain. Among the attendees were Lonne Jaffe, managing director of US venture capital firm Insight Partners; Alex Kendall, CEO of self-driving car developer Wayve; Nigel Toon, head of Graphcore, a chip manufacturer; and Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty AI, which had co-published a paper with TBI on using artificial intelligence to enhance public services.

Official documents released under freedom of information legislation describe the dinner as a “salon-style” discussion, highlighting the interaction between the minister and the tech leaders. Attendees discussed the government’s evolving policies on artificial intelligence and potential avenues for collaboration between the public and private sectors. The dinner took place in late January at London’s five-star Corinthia Hotel, reflecting the high-profile nature of the meeting.

TBI has faced criticism in recent years for its close ties to wealthy donors, raising questions about potential influence over policy. Among its most notable backers is Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, a friend of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who has pledged or donated more than $300 million to the institute. Critics argue that such substantial contributions may afford donors an outsized influence over policy discussions, particularly when these discussions involve government ministers. Blair and TBI have repeatedly denied that policy positions are shaped by commercial interests, maintaining that their work is guided by public benefit and innovation.

A spokesperson for Meta clarified that Nick Clegg’s meetings with government officials were part of his professional duties and emphasised that such engagement with stakeholders is a routine aspect of his role. Similarly, a TBI representative stated that the dinner was a discussion event in which no companies paid to attend. They stressed that the gathering reflected TBI’s ongoing commitment to promoting technological solutions in the public sector and fostering open dialogue between business leaders and policymakers.

Weeks before the dinner, TBI received early access to a confidential summary of the UK government’s AI action plan. On 9 January, Feryal Clark, then minister at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), initiated discussions with Jakob Mokander, TBI’s science policy director. The following day, Clark’s aide shared the confidential document with TBI and requested support in amplifying the plan when it was publicly released. Blair publicly backed the plan when it was published on 13 January, highlighting the country’s ambitions to lead in AI development and deployment. A DSIT spokesperson defended the early sharing of the plan, describing it as standard practice in government consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The dinner exemplifies how Blair’s consultancy actively promotes a pro-technology agenda. With staff numbering more than 900 and operations in 45 countries, TBI has rapidly expanded in recent years. Its 2022 accounts recorded an income of $145 million, derived from a combination of consultancy fees and donations. While the identities of many of TBI’s donors remain undisclosed, the consultancy’s influence in shaping policy discussions has grown considerably, prompting scrutiny from critics and political analysts alike.

The gathering also raises broader questions about the intersection of politics, consultancy, and private sector influence. While Blair and Clegg emphasised that the dinner was intended as a discussion forum rather than a fundraising event, the presence of influential figures from the technology sector highlights how private expertise can intersect with government decision-making. Observers have noted that such interactions are increasingly common in policy areas where technological innovation is rapidly evolving, and governments rely on expert input to craft effective strategies.

Blair’s longstanding advocacy for technological solutions extends beyond AI. He has championed initiatives aimed at modernising public services, improving healthcare delivery, and enhancing government efficiency through digital transformation. TBI’s global reach has allowed it to export these ideas internationally, advising governments on integrating AI and technology into national strategies. However, its involvement in controversial projects, including continuing to accept donations from Saudi Arabia after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, has drawn criticism from human rights and transparency advocates.

Ultimately, the dinner hosted by Blair and Clegg illustrates the growing influence of former political leaders and their consultancy networks in shaping contemporary policy discussions. It underscores the delicate balance between engaging private sector expertise and maintaining public trust, particularly when such engagements involve confidential government information and high-profile donors. The event also reflects the broader debate over the role of technology in government, highlighting both the potential benefits and the scrutiny that accompanies close collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders.