Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Speakers at Government Events: Social Media History

Thursday 11 May 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cabinet Office created guidelines to protect civil service values from individuals promoting hate or discriminatory beliefs
  • Guidance will be published upon request from MPs as it aims to prevent embarrassment for the civil service or country
  • Guidance avoids inviting individuals whose adverse commentary could undermine civil service impartiality or cause reputational damage

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Standards & Ethics
Context

MP inquired about the number of people identified as unsuitable for speaking based on their social media history.

Question

How many individuals has the Department identified as unsuitable for speaking at government events due to their social media activities, which could potentially harm civil service reputation?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The Cabinet Office has created guidelines to protect civil service values from individuals and organisations promoting hate or discriminatory beliefs. However, there is no central record of speakers identified as unsuitable, and such cases are expected to be rare due to the common-sense nature of these guidelines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing a specific count of those deemed unsuitable for speaking engagements based on social media records.

How: The Guidance Is Described As 'Codified Common Sense'

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Q2 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Standards & Ethics
Context

MP questioned the Minister's reluctance to publish guidance for banning speakers at government events.

Question

If the internal guidance is indeed common sense, why is it not published? There are concerns that such secrecy resembles oppressive regimes like North Korea. Why has this guidance not been made public?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The guidance will be published upon request from the MP, as it is internal and aims to prevent embarrassment for civil service or country by banning abhorrent organisations or individuals promoting hate or discrimination.

Answered
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Q3 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

MP inquired why the Minister was initially unwilling to publish guidance on speaker bans at government events.

Question

Why was there reluctance to publish internal guidelines regarding speaker bans despite previous requests? Why did the response differ from what was given to a previous written question?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The reluctance stemmed from the guidance being internal. However, upon request, it will be published as there is nothing to hide. It ensures civil servants are aware of whom they should avoid inviting due to potential embarrassment for the service or country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing a clear explanation for initial reluctance and willingness to publish now without specific instances or details.

How: It Is Internal Guidance

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Q4 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Education Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

MP questioned the contradiction between government guidelines on impartiality and freedom of speech for universities.

Question

Why does the guidance prevent speakers from providing adverse commentary on government policy while the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill promotes free speech in universities?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The guidance avoids inviting individuals whose adverse commentary could undermine civil service impartiality or cause reputational damage. However, contrarian views can be shared during policy formation without being paid or given platforms to create embarrassment for the civil service or country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explaining the context but not fully addressing the contrast between guidelines and university freedoms.

How: It Could Undermine Impartiality And Cause Reputational Damage

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