Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Code of Conduct for Special Advisers

Thursday 27 February 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Code of conduct for special advisers states they must not involve themselves in controversy.
  • Mr Sabisky, whose views were deemed offensive and racist, has left government employment.
  • Pre-appointment scrutiny of special advisers through Select Committee appearance was suggested but not confirmed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Owen Thompson SNP Birmingham Kings Heath
Standards & Ethics
Context

Discussion on the employment of Andrew Sabisky by Dominic Cummings, who has promoted eugenics views.

Question

The code of conduct for special advisers states that they must not involve themselves in controversy. Given that Mr Sabisky's views are offensive and promoting racism, how is it acceptable to hire him?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Civil Society)

There is little to add to what the Prime Minister said on this matter yesterday, which is that those views of Mr Sabisky have no place in this Government. Mr Sabisky has left the employment of the Government, and I do not think there is more to be said on the matter other than that they are not my views either.

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Q2 Jon Trickett Lab Hemsworth
Safeguarding & DBS Standards & Ethics
Context

Follow-up on Owen Thompson's question regarding the hiring and views of Andrew Sabisky.

Question

Given that Mr Sabisky sat in official meetings with the Prime Minister and defence staff, isn't it a problem for national security when someone holding such extreme views is employed within the Government?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Civil Society)

Does the Labour party honestly expect me to say from this Dispatch Box that the vetting system does not work? That would be a breach of national security, and I am not going to do any such thing. The hon. Gentleman ought to ask better questions.

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Q3 Peter Bone Con Wellingborough
Standards & Ethics
Context

Suggestion for a system to scrutinize special advisers before their appointment.

Question

Would it not be wise to have pre-appointment scrutiny of special advisers by making candidates appear before a Select Committee before being appointed, similar to other appointments?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Civil Society)

As I have already said in my opening answer, the code of conduct is very clear about what is required, and the model contract likewise. The appointment procedure for special advisers is found in those documents, and the fact is that Ministers take decisions. The Prime Minister takes decisions about who is to be appointed to his team, which is as it should be—Ministers decide and advisers advise. Although I welcome my hon. Friend's considered point on the processes that could be added, I think the current processes are adequate.

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Q4 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Standards & Ethics
Context

Inquiry into the legality of Andrew Sabisky's appointment.

Question

Given that all appointments of special advisers require the prior written approval of the Prime Minister, did the Prime Minister give such approval for Mr Sabisky's appointment?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Civil Society)

That is not the right question, because Mr Sabisky was a contractor.

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