New spad recruitment process - Jon Trickett responds

“The chance to work in government must be open to everybody, but it must be based on talent not prejudice, and the appointment process for those whose salaries come from our taxes must be transparent.

“The Andrew Sabisky scandal shows the Conservatives cannot be trusted to hire the right people.

“Removing ministerial oversight of special advisers undermines the most important democratic check on these roles, as ministers are answerable to Parliament for the actions of their staff.

“It seems that the Government is intent on centralising as much power as possible around No.10 and a small band of unaccountable advisers. This is a recipe for disaster.”