Lamont questions independence of advisers in the wake of Hancock’s departure

TORY FORMER chancellor Lord Lamont has sounded a warning over “super-SpAd” political advisers in government departments in the wake of Matt Hancock’s resignation.

The Conservative grandee stressed the importance of nonexecutive directors (NEDs) of departments being independent rather than political special advisers (SpAds), amid continuing controversy about the former Health Secretary.

Mr Hancock had appointed university friend Gina Coladangelo, the woman he was caught in a clinch with on CCTV, triggering his ministerial resignation, as a paid NED to the Department of Health and Social Care last year.

Earlier this month, the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended there be greater regulation of these roles. In a report, the committee said reforms were needed and that

NEDs in departments were “the most concerning category of unregulated appointments”.

The committee said “there is an increasing trend amongst ministers to appoint supporters or political allies as NEDs”, adding that this “undermines” their abilities to scrutinise.

Speaking at Westminster, Lord Lamont of Lerwick said the purpose of NEDs in departments was meant to be like those in companies “to assure good corporate governance and to give completely independent advice”.

The peer added: “Have we not departed somewhat from that original concept and isn’t it important that non-executive directors of government departments are independent and not sort of super-SpAds?”

Responding, Cabinet Office Minister Lord True said: “I agree that it is important that non-executives who provide advice and bring an external perspective to the business of government departments should be qualified to do so.”

Labour former Minister Lord Foulkes said the list of non-executive directors included Conservative peers, former special advisers and “other Tory cronies”.