MPs recommend tougher measures for Government accountability and ethical conduct.

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has published a new report calling for legal action against former ministers and civil servants who violate rules regarding the “revolving door” between Government and private sector jobs. The MPs propose expanding and legally enforcing the Business Appointment Rules, which govern the post-Government employment of ministers and senior officials, to provide a stronger deterrent against improper conduct.

This recommendation comes amid concerns raised by high-profile scandals like Greensill, Partygate, and the resignations of two independent ethics advisers to the former Prime Minister. MPs urge the Government to take decisive steps to strengthen systems regulating standards and ethical behaviour in public office.

The Committee also expressed concern over the reappointment of Home Secretary Suella Braverman by the Prime Minister, arguing that it sets a “dangerous precedent” for how breaches of the Ministerial Code are handled. The leaking of restricted material should lead to significant sanctions, according to the new rules implemented by Boris Johnson’s Government earlier this year. The report stresses that a new Prime Minister should not have the power to “wipe the slate clean” when it comes to reappointing ministers.

Further criticisms were directed at the Prime Minister’s position on the new ethics adviser, specifically regarding their ability to investigate past breaches of the Ministerial Code. The Prime Minister has stated that the new ethics adviser will not be allowed to examine historical allegations, including those involving Home Secretary Braverman, which the Committee deems “unsatisfactory.”

The Committee also challenges the Government’s approach to parliamentary scrutiny of public appointments, describing it as a “tick box” exercise. MPs advocate for a greater role for Select Committees, including endorsing appointments for the Chairs of ethics watchdogs and ensuring ministers publicly justify any deviation from recruitment panel advice.

In conclusion, the Committee calls for all Government ethics watchdogs to be enshrined in law, establishing clearer roles and ensuring they remain distinct from one another, rather than being merged into a single ethics regulator.