THE Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has been forced to admit that Israel’s biggest arms firm Elbit discussed plans to invest £100 million in Britain with its chief scientific adviser last June.

A freedom of information request by Private Eye revealed the meeting with Professor Julia Sutcliffe, whom Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch appointed to her role in February last year.

DBT’s public register of official meetings had not mentioned the meeting with the former chief technologist at BAE Systems.

Elbit’s chief executive has told investors it was “very much involved” in Gaza and redacted emails suggesting the meeting was arranged with the help of UK Defence and Security Exports (UK D&SE), a part of the DBT that encourages British arms exports.

UK D&SE reportedly subsequently told Prof Sutcliffe that Elbit was “asking for help to start a conversation with” the Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory “in particular about their plans.” 

The DBT said the meeting took place with adherence to the department’s transparency guidance, and that its officials regularly meet with domestic and overseas companies to encourage investment into Britain.

The Ministry of Defence were contacted for comment.