Rishi Sunak has appointed an ethics advisor, filling a void that had existed for six months since Lord Geidt resigned under Boris Johnson.
After a six-month gap, Rishi Sunak has chosen a new ethics adviser, but the prime minister is facing criticism for retaining the ability to reject any inquiry from ministers.
Mr. Sunak was under pressure to fill the position after entering Downing Street and promised to bring “ethics, professionalism, and responsibility” to the government.
The position, formally known as the adviser on ministers’ interests, has been empty since June when Lord Geidt became the second person to leave the position during the premiership of former prime minister Boris Johnson.
Sir Laurie Magnus, chairman of Historic England, was named Lord Geidt’s successor on Thursday.
Sir Laurie will be responsible for advising Mr. Sunak regarding the compliance of government ministers with their code of conduct.
However, the prime minister is the ultimate judge of the code, so Mr. Sunak will have the final say on whether ministers have violated the regulations and will choose the consequences that will follow.
Mr. Sunak has been criticized for refusing the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s request to grant the adviser the authority to initiate an investigation without his consent.
Angela Rayner, deputy Labour leader, has accused Mr. Sunak of retaining a “rotten ethical regime” by refusing to extend Sir Laurie’s authority.
“After months of hesitation and procrastination, Rishi Sunak has decided to maintain the awful ethics regime he inherited from his predecessors, which saw the last two ethics watchdogs resign,” Ms. Rayner stated.
“By rejecting the Committee on Standards in Public Life and refusing to provide his ethics adviser actual independence, this weak prime minister has failed to deliver on his promise of honesty and has instead placed yet another toothless watchdog.”
Ms. Rayner stated that Labour will “clean up politics” by establishing a “really independent Integrity and Ethics Commission with the authority to investigate without ministerial authorization, collect evidence, and decide sanctions.
Rose Whiffen, a senior research officer at Transparency International UK, stated that the adviser should have the authority to launch investigations and publish their results “to restore desperately needed credibility to government standards.
An important function of government
Mr. Sunak stated in a letter to Sir Laurie that an independent advisor played a “vital” function in governance.
“I have endeavored to find prospective candidates who can exhibit the essential attributes of integrity and independence, relevant competence and experience, and the capacity to command the trust and confidence of ministers,” he said.
Responding, Sir Laurie said: “I am delighted to accept the position. I shall strive to perform the major responsibilities of this position with fairness and honesty, in a manner that inspires the confidence of ministers, the legislature, and the general public.”
Mr. Sunak was questioned over the apparent delays in naming a new ethics adviser after promising to do so during the summer Tory leadership contest.
Lord Geidt resigned earlier this year, citing “frustration” over the partygate controversy, which resulted in Mr. Johnson being punished for violating his lockdown regulations.
He was Mr. Johnson’s second ethics adviser to leave in his less than three years as prime minister.
Sir Alex Allan resigned in 2020 after Mr. Johnson disregarded his recommendations regarding the conduct of former home secretary Priti Patel, who was accused of “bullying behavior.”
During her brief time in Downing Street, Liz Truss did not designate an ethics adviser.
According to reports, Mr. Sunak struggled to locate a willing candidate because the adviser was unable to initiate inquiries without the PM’s approval.
In the absence of a regular ministerial ethics monitor, Mr. Sunak was compelled to hire an “independent” investigator to evaluate the accusations brought against Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, highlighting the absence of an impartial adviser.
Sir Laurie is the current head of Historic England, the main historical organization, and will assume the job of adviser for a five-year term that is not renewable.
Former vice chairman of the National Trust, with an experience in financial business and different organizations.
