Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests 2022-07-14
2022-07-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Lord Geidt has recently resigned from his role as independent adviser on Ministers' interests. There is uncertainty about the future appointment of a replacement.
Given Lord Geidt's resignation, I am concerned about whether the government will take steps to appoint an independent adviser on Ministers' interests. With no current adviser in place, there are worries about potential conflicts of interest and the lack of guidance on ministerial codes.
The Government were sorry to receive Lord Geidt's resignation and are grateful for his work in the role. Any future appointment will need to be a matter for the new Administration, given that the adviser is a personal adviser to the Prime Minister and is appointed for a five-year fixed term.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific steps to appoint an independent adviser immediately or in the near future were not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is uncertainty regarding the timing of appointing a new ethics adviser due to upcoming changes in government leadership.
Given that there will be a delay with a new Prime Minister needing to appoint a new Cabinet, which then requires new Ministers, does this mean there could be delays in appointing an ethics adviser? Is it possible we might not see an ethics adviser until after the next Administration?
That is obviously a matter for the new Prime Minister, but the hon. Lady should not labour under the misapprehension that the maintenance of standards and ethical advising is wanting in Government. In the absence of the adviser, that obviously falls to the various permanent secretaries in each Department, who are in any event the first line of assessment for many of those questions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific timing of appointing an ethics adviser was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is a need to address the conduct of certain MPs and ensure transparency in Cabinet-level discussions regarding their actions.
Will the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster confirm whether there have been any Cabinet-level discussions about the conduct of right hon. Member for Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) before or since his appointment as Deputy Chief Whip, and other MPs who may have conduct records that deserve investigation?
I am afraid that I cannot tell the hon. Lady what we discuss in detail at Cabinet, but Cabinet is minuted and those minutes are available for public contemplation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific details of cabinet-level discussions on MP conduct were not provided.
Response accuracy