Climate change minister gave adviser 'preferential access' The emails suggest that Ms Maes successfully urged Mr Barker to meet company executives in early 2011. In one email in February 2011, she wrote to the minister: "This week we discussed briefly the request by one of my clients Air Products to meet with you ... I will send a formal request in through [redacted] but could you give it a gentle nudge if needed?" The firm wanted to discuss its plan to build "the first large-scale renewable electricity plant in the UK." Mr Barker replied: "Of course, let's get it in the diary but let's have a chat rather than email." In March, she emailed to say noted Air Products were "delighted" with the meeting. Another email in March asked Barker if he'd been "able to discuss the Air Products' situation with [an official] from the Environmental Agency?" He replied: "I did!" Mr Barker is said to have held at least two more meetings with the company that year, and was photographed with its products. Other emails suggest that Mr Barker instructed DECC civil servants to give Ms Maes greater authority over departmental work, and promised to intervene over the renewal of her contract. Caroline Flint, the Labour shadow climate change minister, likened the arrangements to that between Dr Fox and Adam Werritty, an associate with links to the defence industry who accompanied the then defence secretary on overseas trips. Miss Flint said: "Greg Barker is risking a repeat of the Fox-Werritty affair. That should have taught Government ministers a lesson on becoming too close to outside advisers. No outside advisers to ministers should be able to use their position to get preferential treatment for their clients. Greg Barker must detail quickly and clearly what his links were to Miriam Maes and whether he allowed her clients privileged access to the heart of government," she said. A DECC spokesperson said: "Miriam Maes is a known expert in energy efficiency, decentralised energy and transmission and distribution. She has previously served on major company boards and advised public sector bodies such as the GLA. She was under contract to DECC for two periods - September 2010 to May 2011 and July 2011 to the end of March this year - both times following a competition. These contracts were let and managed by DECC officials and Mrs Maes made valuable contributions to the Government's 10% energy reduction campaign and to the early work of the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office. Mrs Maes also provided additional views pro bono on related matters to the Department and to the Minister. Ministers frequently seek the views of external experts. The Permanent Secretary and officials in DECC were aware that the Minister greatly valued Miriam Maes" views."