Following the announcement that has been
appointed as Independent Adviser on Ministerial Interests, Labour
are demanding that he be given powers to trigger investigations
into Ministers himself.
Currently, the role holder of the Independent Adviser can only
trigger investigations with the permission of the Prime Minister,
and it is the Prime Minister who effectively marks his own
homework and decides whether to make public any confirmed
breaches as the arbiter of the Minister Code.
The Party have also highlighted how, with the government engulfed
in sleaze scandals from crony contracts to Greensill, considering
an independent trigger on one isolated potential breach of the
Ministerial Code is not adequate – instead the Prime Minister
should give the Independent Adviser proper powers to trigger
investigations where he suspects a breach of the Ministerial
Code.
On 17 April 2021, the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in
Public Life highlighted how crucial it is for the Adviser to be
able to trigger investigations saying the government "risks
public trust" without effective probes.
On 26th April 2021, the Cabinet Secretary said in evidence in
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee that
he would consider these recommendations.
On 28th April 2021, Sir Philip Moore, former Independent Advisor
for Ministerial Interests highlighted on the Today programme the
lack of these powers.
Transparency International have estimated that there are nine
potential breaches of the Ministerial Code in 2020 alone.
Labour have stressed that the Independence of the Adviser must be
guaranteed so that investigations into these can begin as soon as
possible.
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said
"In our country, the police don't require the permission of a
thief to investigate a burglary.
“The Prime Minister can’t be judge and jury on his Ministers’ –
or indeed his own – behaviour.
"The Prime Minister shouldn't be able to block investigations
into his Ministers or himself when breaking the Ministerial
Code."
Ends
Notes to Editors
· appointed as
Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-rt-hon-lord-geidt-appointed-as-independent-adviser-on-ministers-interests
· Government 'risks public trust' without probes into ministers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56763651
· Transparency International UK recorded nine potential breaches
of the Ministerial Code in 2020 https://www.transparency.org.uk/ministerial-code-UK-nolan-principles-public-ethical-standards
