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UK government to publish new code of conduct for ministers UK government to publish new code of conduct for ministers
(about 2 hours later)
The government is to publish a revised version of the code of conduct for ministers, beefing up sections on harassment and inappropriate behaviour, and ensuring overseas meetings are properly recorded, Downing Street has said. The government has published a revised version of the code of conduct for ministers, beefing up sections on harassment and inappropriate behaviour and requiring overseas meetings to be properly recorded.
The update of the ministerial code, due to be published later on Tuesday, follows the departure of several ministers who faced claims of improper behaviour, and the case of the former international development secretary Priti Patel, who held a series of unofficial meetings in Israel. The update of the ministerial code follows the departure of several ministers who faced claims of improper behaviour, and the case of the former international development secretary Priti Patel, who held a series of unofficial meetings in Israel.
Theresa May’s spokesman said there would be “a number of changes” to the code, which sets out the expected standards of behaviour for ministers and how they carry out their duties, but that full details would follow. Theresa May’s spokesman said the code would be sent to ministers, who would need to confirm that they and their aides had read it.
The code will be sent to ministers, who will need to confirm that they and their aides have read it, he said. A new preface to the code by May says: “We need to establish a new culture of respect at the centre of our public life: one in which everyone can feel confident that they are working in a safe and secure environment.”
The spokesman said: “It will ensure new wording to ensure that the code properly covers inappropriate, bullying or harassing behaviour. There’s also new wording to specifically address the requirements on ministers to report official meetings domestically and, especially, overseas.” In the general principles for ministers, the document says their working relationships with civil servants, ministerial and parliamentary colleagues and parliamentary staff, among others, “should be proper and appropriate”.
The first issue follows a wave of allegations against MPs and some ministers, which led to several departures. In a new section, the code continues: “Harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour wherever it takes place is not consistent with the ministerial code and will not be tolerated.”
In November, the then-defence secretary Michael Fallon left the government after saying his behaviour towards women in the past had “fallen short”, following claims he had made unwanted advances to some. This follows a wave of allegations against MPs and some ministers, which led to several departures. In November the then defence secretary, Michael Fallon, left the government after saying his behaviour towards women in the past had “fallen short”, following claims he had made unwanted advances.
Shortly before Christmas, May’s effective deputy Damian Green was sacked after admitting he lied about the presence of pornographic images on his House of Commons computer found during a police raid in 2008.Shortly before Christmas, May’s effective deputy Damian Green was sacked after admitting he lied about the presence of pornographic images on his House of Commons computer found during a police raid in 2008.
The same Cabinet Office inquiry also looked into separate allegations, made by the Conservative activist Kate Maltby, that Green had behaved improperly towards her, but was unable to reach a definitive conclusion. A Cabinet Office inquiry also looked into separate allegations, made by a Conservative activist, Kate Maltby, that Green had behaved improperly towards her, but was unable to reach a definitive conclusion.
Also in December, the junior trade minister Mark Garnier was allowed to stay in his job despite admitting he asked his former assistant to buy a sex toy and called her “sugar tits”, with an inquiry saying there was a difference in interpretation as to whether offence had been meant. Also in December, the junior trade minister Mark Garnier was allowed to stay in his job despite admitting he had asked his former assistant to buy a sex toy and called her “sugar tits”. An inquiry found there was a difference in interpretation as to whether offence had been meant.
Garnier was also cleared because the events in question happened before he was a minister. The Downing Street spokesman declined to say whether the revised code would allow potential action over incidents before people were appointed. Garnier lost his ministerial job in Tuesday’s reshuffle.Garnier was also cleared because the events in question happened before he was a minister. The Downing Street spokesman declined to say whether the revised code would allow potential action over incidents before people were appointed. Garnier lost his ministerial job in Tuesday’s reshuffle.
The changes to require formal notification of meetings follows the departure of Patel, who resigned after it emerged she had met more than a dozen Israeli ministers, businesspeople and a senior lobbyist while on holiday in the country, and had not properly informed No 10. Another section of the code says that when holding meetings overseas with ministers or officials from foreign governments, or at meetings “where official business is likely to be discussed”, a private secretary or embassy official should be present.
The current edition of the ministerial code, says ministers are expected “to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety”, covering areas from collective responsibility to honesty and avoiding conflicts of interest. If a minister is at a social event or on holiday and discusses official business without any such official there, “any significant content should be passed back to the department as soon as possible after the event”, it adds.
It is framed by what are called the seven principles of public life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership – but is less explicit on areas such as general behaviour towards others. Patel resigned after it emerged she had met more than a dozen Israeli ministers, businesspeople and a senior lobbyist while on holiday in the country and had not properly informed No 10.
The new edition of the code is framed by the same seven principles of public life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership – but is less explicit on areas such as general behaviour towards others.