There is currently a lot of interest in the ministerial code and the #NolanPrinciples.
This thread highlights some of the data we’ve collected on potential breaches of ministerial and parliamentary rules.
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This thread highlights some of the data we’ve collected on potential breaches of ministerial and parliamentary rules.
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.@DanielJBruce recently told the Committee on Standards in Public Life how we’d found 120 incidents since 2015 where either ministerial or parliamentary rules were potentially breached in Westminster.
Thirty of these incidents were in 2020.
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Thirty of these incidents were in 2020.
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Of these 30 cases, there are nine where it is alleged that the ministerial code may have been breached that include risks of #corruption.
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These allegations range from a failure to declare a spouse's financial interests to having links to, or in one case shares in, a company awarded government contracts, to lobbying a foreign Royal Family on behalf of a company that was a party donor.
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More recently there have been allegations that the way public money was allocated via the Government’s flagship #TownsFund was done for political advantage.
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ft.com/content/d485da…
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ft.com/content/d485da…
These are of course only allegations.
None of these 9 incidents were referred to the Independent Advisor on Ministers' Interests for investigation.
Cases that involve bullying or issues not linked to corruption are not included in this data.
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None of these 9 incidents were referred to the Independent Advisor on Ministers' Interests for investigation.
Cases that involve bullying or issues not linked to corruption are not included in this data.
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In the case of the #Westferry property development debacle, while there was no investigation into a potential breach of the ministerial code, the decision to approve the planning application was found to be unlawful and overturned.
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bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
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bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
These kinds of allegations, particularly when they are not investigated, undermine trust in our democracy.
They normalise behaviour that creates additional risks of corruption.
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They normalise behaviour that creates additional risks of corruption.
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Currently, investigations can only be requested by the Prime Minister.
They are then referred to the Independent Advisor on Ministers’ Interests, who then reports back to the PM.
It is up to the PM if any action is taken.
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They are then referred to the Independent Advisor on Ministers’ Interests, who then reports back to the PM.
It is up to the PM if any action is taken.
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This system does not work.
It does not ensure that high standards are maintained in public life and it does not protect the Government from allegations of corruption.
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It does not ensure that high standards are maintained in public life and it does not protect the Government from allegations of corruption.
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It should no longer be up to the PM to decide if an allegation should be investigated.
We need independent investigations into potential breaches of the Ministerial Code and it should be put on a statutory footing.
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transparency.org.uk/ministerial-co…
We need independent investigations into potential breaches of the Ministerial Code and it should be put on a statutory footing.
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transparency.org.uk/ministerial-co…
Finally, ICYMI: Here’s @DanielJBruce giving evidence to @PublicStandards on these and other issues.
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