Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ministerial Code: Potential Breaches

Thursday 27 May 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Code: Independent adviser on Ministers' interests publishes an annual report.
  • Layla Moran asked if the Department will make it policy to allow publication of conclusions from recent independent investigations.
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster agreed that Ministers should follow the ministerial code and obey the law.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Standards & Ethics
Context

Recent independent investigations into potential breaches of the ministerial code have been conducted.

Question

If his Department will make it its policy to allow publication of the conclusions of recent independent investigations into potential breaches of the ministerial code.

Answer from Michael Gove

The independent adviser on Ministers' interests publishes an annual report setting out the work he has undertaken.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Publication policy for recent investigations' conclusions

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Q2 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Home Secretary made a statement on “The Andrew Marr Show” suggesting that difficult jobs might justify not breaking codes, raising questions about adherence to ministerial duties.

Question

Given recent statements by the Home Secretary, does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster agree that even if a Minister has a difficult job, they should follow both the ministerial code and obey the law?

Answer from Michael Gove

That seems to me a very good point—yes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on Ministerial duty compliance in difficult situations

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