>Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser has suggested he would have been investigated for a possible breach of the ministerial code over the Partygate scandal – if the power had existed.
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>Christopher Geidt said he now felt able to “initiate” inquiries – under new enhanced powers – but they were not in place when the prime minister was fined for breaking his own Covid rules.
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>Asked if he would have launched an inquiry if he had been able to…
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>([🪞 link](https://archive.ph/jskuP))
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NB.
They are going far more indeph on the Guardian Live blog:
>[Geidt challenged by MPs to explain why he has not tried to launch inquiry into claims PM’s Partygage activities broke ministerial code](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/jun/14/rwanda-flights-asylum-seekers-priti-patel-liz-truss-conservatives-uk-politics-latest?page=with:block-62a858d08f0892aa32e15d8d#block-62a858d08f0892aa32e15d8d)
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Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministerial interests, has been giving evidence to the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee. Recently No 10 announced changes to the ministerial code that appeared to beef up the powers of the adviser – although there has been a debate about whether or not these changes are cosmetic, and Boris Johnson did not explicitly agree to the recommendation from the Committee on Standards in Public Life saying the adviser should be able to initiate (without getting permission from the PM first) inquiries into allegations about ministers breaking the ministerial code. …
[…]
>But Geidt struggled to give a convincing explanation as to why he has not launched in investigation into allegations that Suella Braverman, the attorney general, leaked information about her legal advice about the Northern Ireland protocol bill. Leaking government legal advice is a serious matter. But Geidt seemed surprised by the suggestion he should be investigating this, and said he had not given it proper thought…
1 comment
>Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser has suggested he would have been investigated for a possible breach of the ministerial code over the Partygate scandal – if the power had existed.
>
>Christopher Geidt said he now felt able to “initiate” inquiries – under new enhanced powers – but they were not in place when the prime minister was fined for breaking his own Covid rules.
>
>Asked if he would have launched an inquiry if he had been able to…
>
>([🪞 link](https://archive.ph/jskuP))
–
NB.
They are going far more indeph on the Guardian Live blog:
>[Geidt challenged by MPs to explain why he has not tried to launch inquiry into claims PM’s Partygage activities broke ministerial code](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/jun/14/rwanda-flights-asylum-seekers-priti-patel-liz-truss-conservatives-uk-politics-latest?page=with:block-62a858d08f0892aa32e15d8d#block-62a858d08f0892aa32e15d8d)
>
Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministerial interests, has been giving evidence to the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee. Recently No 10 announced changes to the ministerial code that appeared to beef up the powers of the adviser – although there has been a debate about whether or not these changes are cosmetic, and Boris Johnson did not explicitly agree to the recommendation from the Committee on Standards in Public Life saying the adviser should be able to initiate (without getting permission from the PM first) inquiries into allegations about ministers breaking the ministerial code. …
[…]
>But Geidt struggled to give a convincing explanation as to why he has not launched in investigation into allegations that Suella Braverman, the attorney general, leaked information about her legal advice about the Northern Ireland protocol bill. Leaking government legal advice is a serious matter. But Geidt seemed surprised by the suggestion he should be investigating this, and said he had not given it proper thought…