Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ministerial Code

Thursday 25 April 2024 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Prime Minister is responsible for the ministerial code and sets the standards of behaviour expected of Ministers.
  • The Cabinet Office is considering a letter from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments regarding Boris Johnson's visit to Venezuela.
  • The Government does not support a single ethics and integrity commission as proposed by Labour, citing potential disadvantages.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from concerns over compliance with the ministerial code.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of trends in the level of compliance with the ministerial code?

Answer from John Glen

The Prime Minister is responsible for the ministerial code, and is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviour expected of Ministers, which are set out in that code. All Ministers are expected to uphold the principles of the code, as the Prime Minister has made clear.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assessment or data on compliance trends provided

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Q2 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister about a breach by Boris Johnson in visiting Venezuela for Merlyn Advisors.

Question

Was the Cabinet Office aware of Boris Johnson's visit to Venezuela and did they have conversations with the Foreign Office regarding briefings?

Answer from John Glen

The Government expect all former Ministers, including Prime Ministers, to abide by their obligations with regard to the business appointment rules set out in the ministerial code. The Cabinet Office is currently considering a letter on this matter from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and will respond in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear commitment or specific action provided regarding awareness and communication

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Q3 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns about Boris Johnson's actions post-PM tenure, including hedge fund lobbying and royal confidences in books.

Question

Is it time for a more independent system like Labour's proposed ethics and integrity commission? If not, can they call a general election?

Answer from John Glen

The seven principles on public life are very clear and I have set out the Prime Minister's expectations, but let me draw the hon. Lady's attention to what was said by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in 2021 that a single commission would “come with considerable disadvantages” and does not sit well in our democratic system.

Not addressed: Did not address the question about an independent ethics system or calling an election, instead referenced previous statements

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Q4 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns over transparency regarding the financial interests of the Foreign Secretary before his appointment to the House of Lords.

Question

Why are details of the Foreign Secretary's financial interests and recusals from job elements due to previous involvement with the Chinese state not published?

Answer from John Glen

According to the advice of the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests, last published on 14 December 2023, following a previous publication on 17 July which updated advice issued on 19 April, the process of ministerial engagement with the register is ongoing and is updated on an ongoing basis. When Ministers are appointed, they fill in an extensive form which their permanent secretaries then review, and there is a continuous process of updating that as interests evolve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to publish specific details or clarify recusals

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Q5 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns over inconsistencies in statements regarding Boris Johnson's trip to Venezuela.

Question

When will the Government clarify what has actually happened with Boris Johnson's Venezuela visit?

Answer from John Glen

I explained in an earlier answer where we are in terms of the Cabinet Office considering the letter from ACOBA. We do expect all Ministers, civil servants, and special advisers to abide by those business appointment rules. They are contractual requirements for civil servants and are drawn to the attention of Ministers by the ministerial code.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear timeline or commitment to clarify the visit

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