16 May 2008
The investigator appointed to examine ministerial conduct is not sufficiently independent of government, senior MPs have said.
In a report published on May 12, the Commons public administration select committee says the role of 'independent adviser on ministerial interests' is hamstrung by being unable to initiate inquiries. The adviser can do so only if asked by the prime minister.
The committee says the word 'independent' might be a misnomer, and calls on the prime minister to extend the powers of the role.
The post was created in 2006 by Tony Blair in the wake of controversies over ministerial conduct. It is currently held by Sir Philip Mawer, the former parliamentary commissioner for standards.
Chair Tony Wright said: 'Ministers should be innocent until proven guilty like the rest of us – but the public won't swallow that as long as the prime minister still acts as judge, jury and executioner.'
The committee also finds it unsatisfactory that the watchdog can be dismissed by the prime minister at any time, and that the role is reliant on the Cabinet Office for funding and staff.
PFmay2008
