Standards committee wants stricter code of conduct for ministers

13 Sep 01
The Whitehall watchdog, the Commons Committee on Standards in Public Life, is considering imposing stiffer codes of conduct for ministers and special advisers.

14 September 2001

Sir Nigel Wicks, the committee chairman, said that the body would consider whether the codes, which were recently updated, 'go far enough' as he launched a review of the results of the committee's 308 recommendations since 1994.

Wicks said he was 'disappointed' that a series of recommendations aimed at improving conduct and strengthening self-regulation in the Commons had not been adopted.

The committee is also to examine Prime Minister Tony Blair's reforms of Downing Street and the role of political advisers.

Wicks added that the public would be asked to take part in a six-month survey of attitudes to politicians and politics as part of the general review. 'It will not be a straw poll, designed to do a quick health check on the performance of a particular group of office-holders,' he said.

He added that the committee could also examine the relationship between government and service providers.

PFsep2001

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top