CITY WHISPERS: Ex-MI6 man called Steele in hunt for Perring source

The saga of Labor MP Liam Byrne and his claims about short-seller Fraser Perring’s alleged links to Russia have been doing the rounds in recent months as the financier continues his vendetta against the ex-Labour minister.

Byrne told the Commons in March that Perring was “a not infrequent visitor to Moscow” and called on the government to ensure “short-selling groups are not another weapon in Putin’s arsenal.” Perring denies the allegations.

The MP said he had been told about traveling to Russia but has not disclosed his source until now.

However, several people have told Whispers that the source is believed to be Christopher Steele, ex-head of the MI6 Russia branch, who now heads the intelligence firm Orbis.

Steele previously wrote a report mentioning the pee tape — a recording allegedly showing Donald Trump peeing on a bed previously used by the Obamas — which the real estate mogul vehemently denied.

UAE tries to ‘court’ female journalists

Several female journalists received an email this week from the media agency of Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, inviting them to “an exclusive Women in Media dinner” at London’s Shard skyscraper.

The UAE has a mixed record on women’s rights.

Domestic violence remains legal and women still need permission from their male guardian to work.

Maybe you’d like a glass of champagne before you bring it up.

ShareSoc follows the example of Archie Norman

Remember the recent uproar when Marks & Spencer held its annual shareholder meeting digitally only?

The move appeared to run counter to chairman Archie Norman’s campaign to give investors more of a say in running the companies they own.

Now Whispers learns that ShareSoc—an advocate of private investor rights and an ardent supporter of Norman’s campaign—has followed suit.

The AGM was also online-only this year “to keep costs down and make it more accessible,” an insider admits.

Next year’s meeting will be hybrid, allowing members to meet in person as well. But the damage has been done.

“I see no excuse for this,” said an AGM regular. “They should lead by example.”

Jon Lewis is not tempted by American switch

Capita’s Jon Lewis recently surprised City by saying he would step down at the end of the year.

He’s been there since 2017, when he was parachuted into flipping the outsourcer after a slew of profit warnings. It was profitable for Lewis, who has brought in £7 million since he got there.

But it’s peanuts for what he could earn in the US.

Is he tempted? No, he tells Whispers. Taking on more non-executive roles is his preference and that “it’s about quality of life.”

Perhaps a decade at US oil services giant Halliburton, where he was brutally passed over for the top job, will also put him off.

Contributors: Francesca Washtell and Patrick Tooher