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Is the civil service orchestrating an EU referendum cover-up? Is the civil service orchestrating an EU referendum cover-up? Is the civil service orchestrating an EU referendum cover-up?
(about 3 hours later)
What has been said?What has been said?
Last week Britain’s most senior civil servant, Sir Jeremy Heywood, issued guidance for mandarins (pdf) about ministerial access to government papers on the referendum and David Cameron’s EU negotiations.Last week Britain’s most senior civil servant, Sir Jeremy Heywood, issued guidance for mandarins (pdf) about ministerial access to government papers on the referendum and David Cameron’s EU negotiations.
He wrote that the government’s position was to recommend that voters should support staying in the EU. Therefore, civil servants and special advisers should not give pro-Brexit ministers access to government papers on the forthcoming referendum or the prime minister’s renegotiations. An exception should be made for papers they had already seen, he said.He wrote that the government’s position was to recommend that voters should support staying in the EU. Therefore, civil servants and special advisers should not give pro-Brexit ministers access to government papers on the forthcoming referendum or the prime minister’s renegotiations. An exception should be made for papers they had already seen, he said.
Before the rules were introduced, cabinet ministers would have been given access to such papers if they were seen as relevant to their departments. And, let’s face it, ministers and the civil service will concentrate many hours of their time on the EU vote over the coming weeks.Before the rules were introduced, cabinet ministers would have been given access to such papers if they were seen as relevant to their departments. And, let’s face it, ministers and the civil service will concentrate many hours of their time on the EU vote over the coming weeks.
Why are leave campaigners so angry about it?Why are leave campaigners so angry about it?
Those campaigning for Britain to leave the EU believe the new rules are a way of throwing the weight of government behind the remain campaign and preventing pro-Brexit ministers from using their departments’ resources to prepare research that might bolster their campaigns. Some in the rightwing press have been referring to Heywood as “Sir Cover-up”.Those campaigning for Britain to leave the EU believe the new rules are a way of throwing the weight of government behind the remain campaign and preventing pro-Brexit ministers from using their departments’ resources to prepare research that might bolster their campaigns. Some in the rightwing press have been referring to Heywood as “Sir Cover-up”.
It has been reported that the rules were introduced specifically to stop Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, preparing research for anti-EU cabinet ministers that could be used in the referendum campaign.It has been reported that the rules were introduced specifically to stop Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, preparing research for anti-EU cabinet ministers that could be used in the referendum campaign.
The public may wonder whether the row highlights how challenging it will be for the government to function efficiently during the referendum campaign.The public may wonder whether the row highlights how challenging it will be for the government to function efficiently during the referendum campaign.
Is Heywood acting constitutionally - or enacting an EU cover-up?Is Heywood acting constitutionally - or enacting an EU cover-up?
The Brexit-supporting employment minister Priti Patel on Monday morning described Heywood’s edict as an “unconstitutional act”.Her supporters claim it is an established principle that ministers are politically accountable for the decisions of their departmental civil servants. How, they claim, can pro-Brexit ministers be held responsible if civil servants are told to withhold material documents?Number 10 has dismissed her claims saying there is no outright ban on government ministers receiving papers on EU business.The Brexit-supporting employment minister Priti Patel on Monday morning described Heywood’s edict as an “unconstitutional act”.Her supporters claim it is an established principle that ministers are politically accountable for the decisions of their departmental civil servants. How, they claim, can pro-Brexit ministers be held responsible if civil servants are told to withhold material documents?Number 10 has dismissed her claims saying there is no outright ban on government ministers receiving papers on EU business.
What are leave campaigners likely to do about it?What are leave campaigners likely to do about it?
Heywood is expected to face a grilling from members of the House of Commons public administration committee on Tuesday about his new rules, and could face questions on Monday afternoon when he appears before the public accounts committee. MPs are expected to debate an urgent question on the new rules on Monday.Heywood is expected to face a grilling from members of the House of Commons public administration committee on Tuesday about his new rules, and could face questions on Monday afternoon when he appears before the public accounts committee. MPs are expected to debate an urgent question on the new rules on Monday.
How long will the ban last?How long will the ban last?
The rules will apply until 28 days before the referendum, when they will be reviewed.The rules will apply until 28 days before the referendum, when they will be reviewed.
How many ministers will it affect?How many ministers will it affect?
Five cabinet-level ministers now have restricted access to government papers. Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has also been cut out of the loop.Five cabinet-level ministers now have restricted access to government papers. Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has also been cut out of the loop.