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09/03/2006
Watchdog criticises government sleaze probes
The government's standards watchdog has criticised government probes into alleged breaches of conduct by ministers.
Sir Alistair Graham, who heads the committee on standards in public life, said that a panel of senior investigators should be responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the Ministerial code of conduct, not senior civil servants.
Sir Alistair said that the current arrangements were "ad hoc" and that the system was "demonstrably redundant". He said that this had led to a loss of public confidence and had damaged the standing of the government.
Sir Alistair said that he was "puzzled" as to why the Prime Minister had not changed the system.
However, Downing Street does not support the watchdog's recommendations. A spokesperson for Tony Blair said that there was "no guarantee" that the decisions of an independent figure would not be criticised in the media.
The watchdog's statement comes amid the row over Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and the financial dealings of her husband, international lawyer David Mills.
The row centred on a £350,000 gift received by Mr Mills, which Ms Jowell did not declare to her top civil servant, in accordance with the code of conduct. The money has been alleged to have been a bribe from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in exchange for helpful testimony during a corruption trial - however, these claims have been strongly denied by Mr Mills.
Ms Jowell said that her husband had not told her about the money and she was cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct.
(KMcA/GB)
Sir Alistair Graham, who heads the committee on standards in public life, said that a panel of senior investigators should be responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the Ministerial code of conduct, not senior civil servants.
Sir Alistair said that the current arrangements were "ad hoc" and that the system was "demonstrably redundant". He said that this had led to a loss of public confidence and had damaged the standing of the government.
Sir Alistair said that he was "puzzled" as to why the Prime Minister had not changed the system.
However, Downing Street does not support the watchdog's recommendations. A spokesperson for Tony Blair said that there was "no guarantee" that the decisions of an independent figure would not be criticised in the media.
The watchdog's statement comes amid the row over Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and the financial dealings of her husband, international lawyer David Mills.
The row centred on a £350,000 gift received by Mr Mills, which Ms Jowell did not declare to her top civil servant, in accordance with the code of conduct. The money has been alleged to have been a bribe from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in exchange for helpful testimony during a corruption trial - however, these claims have been strongly denied by Mr Mills.
Ms Jowell said that her husband had not told her about the money and she was cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct.
(KMcA/GB)
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