How convenient! PM can overrule new ethics chief
THE Prime Minister’s decision to appoint the Queen’s former private secretary as his new ethics adviser triggered an instant row last night when it emerged Boris Johnson will be able to overrule his findings.
Following months of delay, Sir Christopher Geidt was finally named yesterday morning as the new independent adviser on ministers’ interests.
He was immediately handed the task of ‘ascertaining the facts surrounding’ the renovation of the 11 Downing Street flat and advising Mr Johnson ‘on any further registration of interests that may be needed’.
But No 10 admitted the PM will retain the power to exonerate himself of any possible breach of the ministerial code, including over the flat refurbishment. Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister would remain ‘ultimate arbiter’ of the code.
It means the PM has overruled recommendations from David Evans, chair of the standards committee, that the adviser have powers to launch their own investigation.
last night lord Evans wrote to Mr Johnson to ask why. He said: ‘We note that the adviser will still lack the authority to initiate investigations. We will want to consider how far the new arrangements provide the degree of independence and transparency that the committee believes is necessary.’
The appointment of lord Geidt, a crossbench peer who was the Queen’s private secretary for a decade, came as the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation into the renovation.
The spokesman said ‘one of the first’ tasks for the new adviser is to look at publishing the long-delayed list of ministers’ interests, which has not been updated since July and could contain details of any donations to fund the Downing Street flat.
The post had been vacant since Sir Alex Allan resigned in November in response to Mr Johnson standing by Priti Patel, despite an investigation finding the Home Secretary’s conduct ‘amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying’.
No 10 changed the role to allow the adviser to raise with the Prime Minister potential breaches of the ministerial code suitable for investigation. The PM’s spokesman said Mr Johnson has concerns an adviser with powers to independently launch probes could be drawn into ‘trivial or vexatious complaints’.
Asked if that means he could reject any findings on himself, the spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister will remain the ultimate arbiter of this, yep.’
lord Geidt’s work will be separate to a review by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, which brings the number of investigations to three. The peer wrote to Mr Johnson saying he welcomed the moves to ‘stiffen the degree of independence of the post’, adding that he looks forward to ‘playing a part in maintaining the integrity of the ministerial code’.
lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, said Mr Johnson should adopt the full recommendations of the standards committee. ‘The fact he has not will raise concerns for the Prime Minister whenever questions about a minister arise,’ he added.