Former Labour MP cleared over role in fraudulent Covid

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Published: 2026-10-08T14:28:17.700Z • Permanent link

Former Labour MP Shahid Malik was found not guilty over his role in a business that made £6.67m in just three weeks. The business in question, Millward Brown, is a global advertising and marketing company that has worked with numerous high-profile clients. Malik, who served as the UK's justice minister from 2007 to 2010, had been accused of using his position to facilitate the business's activities in several countries, including the UK, India, and the Middle East. However, a court hearing found that Malik had only a "very limited" role in the business, and that he had not engaged in any wrongdoing. The business itself has faced criticism for its involvement in various controversies, including allegations of bribery and corruption. Despite this, Malik has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

Malik's involvement with Millward Brown dates back to 2006, when he was still a Labour MP. At the time, the business was working with the Indian government on a major advertising contract, and Malik was seen as a key player in securing the deal. However, it is alleged that Malik used his position to secure a £2.5m contract for his company, which was a subsidiary of Millward Brown. The contract was for a series of advertisements for the Indian government, which were later pulled due to allegations of corruption. Malik has denied any wrongdoing, but the controversy surrounding his involvement with Millward Brown has led to calls for greater transparency in government dealings with private companies.

The hearing was seen as a major victory for Malik, who had faced intense scrutiny over his involvement with the business. However, the controversy surrounding Millward Brown is unlikely to go away anytime soon. The business has faced numerous allegations of corruption and bribery over the years, and its involvement in various high-profile scandals has led to calls for greater regulation in the advertising and marketing industry. As one industry insider noted, "The fact that Malik was found not guilty is a major victory for him, but it's also a reminder that the real issue here is the culture of corruption and cronyism that exists in some parts of the industry.

The controversy surrounding Malik and Millward Brown has significant implications for the global infrastructure industry. The business has worked with numerous governments and corporations around the world, and its involvement in various scandals has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in government dealings with private companies. As one researcher noted, "The fact that Malik was found not guilty is a major concern for researchers and policymakers who are working to understand the ways in which private companies influence government decision-making." The scandal has also led to calls for greater regulation in the advertising and marketing industry, which is a key sector for many governments around the world.

The impact of the scandal on Millward Brown itself is also significant. The business has faced numerous allegations of corruption and bribery over the years, and its involvement in various scandals has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability. As one industry analyst noted, "The fact that Malik was found not guilty is a major blow to Millward Brown's reputation, and it's likely to have significant implications for the business's ability to secure new contracts and partnerships in the future." The scandal has also led to calls for greater transparency in the advertising and marketing industry, which is a key sector for many governments around the world.

The controversy surrounding Malik and Millward Brown is part of a larger pattern of corruption and cronyism that exists in some parts of the global infrastructure industry. In recent years, numerous scandals have rocked the industry, including allegations of bribery and corruption in countries such as India and China. These scandals have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in government dealings with private companies, and have highlighted the need for greater regulation in the industry. As one historian noted, "The fact that Malik was found not guilty is a reminder that the real issue here is the culture of corruption and cronyism that exists in some parts of the industry, and it's a pattern that has been repeated in many other countries around the world.