Pinsent Masons equity partner David Isaac’s attempt to become chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has been stymied by two parliamentary select committees.
Isaac has been passed over for the position due to potential conflicts of interest that may arise due to his role at Pinsents, which lists the Government as a major client.
Minister for women and equalities Nicky Morgan selected Isaac as the Government’s first choice candidate. In a joint letter MPs Harriet Harman and Maria Miller raised concerns over Isaac’s selection in a joint letter on behalf of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Women and Equalities Committee.
The letter said that even if Isaac was not directly involved in business relating to the Government as an equity partner he would “continue to profit financially from such involvement by his colleagues in Pinsent Masons and would thus have a financial vested interest”.
Isaac is currently Pinsents’ head of global sector for advanced manufacturing and technology.
In a previous hearing it was proposed that Isaac could avoid such issues by by recusing himself from EHRC matters where conflicts of interest arise. Harman and Miller claimed that this measure was not suitable as it could force Isaac to frequently excuse himself from strategic decisions.
The decision to appoint a chair has now been delayed as a result of the committee’s failure to recommend Isaac. Despite the delay he could still be selected, as the final decision for the appointment rests with the Secretary of State.
Pinsents recently appointed former Labour MP Douglas Alexander as a strategic adviser to the firm. Alexander, who previously held a cabinet position as secretary of state for international development, will advise the firm on client engagement surrounding June’s referendum on the UK’s EU membership.