conflict of interest

plural conflicts of interest · abbreviation COI

1. countableuncountablelawA situation in which an individual or legal entity in a position of trust (such as an attorney, investment advisor, broker, politician, executive, director, scientist or physician) has competing professional or personal interests.

   Rishi Sunak is facing questions over a potential conflict of interest after it emerged a childcare firm part owned by his wife is to benefit from major changes in the budget.

   2023 March 29, Rowena Mason, “Rishi Sunak’s childcare policy risks conflict of interest with wife’s firm”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   3 more examples

   Grassley continues to probe Abedin’s potential conflicts of interest when she was getting four different paychecks at once. “We know she set up dinners for Secretary Clinton and her private-sector employers and e-mailed private-sector employees from government accounts,” he says.

   2016 January 31, “Is Huma Abedin Hillary Clinton’s Secret Weapon or Her Next Big Problem?”, in Vanity Fair, retrieved 21 Jan 2016

   “When you look at it, take a step back here, there’s no conflict of interest here,” Mr. [Paul E.] Mann said. “And it’s certainly in the United States government’s best interest to want to do this deal.”

   2026 June 28, Paul Sonne, “Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, said in a recent statement that Mr. Trump “only acts in the best interests of the American public,” and that “there are no conflicts of interest.”

   2026 June 30, Anna Kelly, quotee, “Trump Pulled in at Least $2.2 Billion in 2025, Financial Disclosure Shows”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: COI

2. countableuncountableThe competing interest itself.