Since his appointment in December 2022, the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, Sir Laurie Magnus has done one investigation then had to lie down for 3 months
After the Nadhim Zahawi which Sir Laurie finished in January 2023 has been very quiet. Too quiet. Is it because there are no issues with Minister’s Interests, or is it because some one has locked him in a cupboard?
There have been a few possible matters that might have attracted his attention. The FDA union has raised concerns about how. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has openly spoken about it’s members. In a Conservative party communication she said “But an activist blob of left-wing lawyers, civils servants and the Labour Party blocked us.”.
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman wrote to Rishi Sunak unsuccessfully asking for this comment to be withdrawn.
“I am sure I do not need to remind you that Paragraph 5.1 of the Ministerial Code states that “ministers must uphold the political impartiality of the civil service”. I cannot see how the Home Secretary’s statement to Conservative Party members can be reconciled with her obligations under the code. As Prime Minister and Minister for the Civil Service I would be grateful if you could ensure that this statement is publicly withdrawn as a matter of urgency and an apology made to all Home Office civil servants from the Home Secretary.”
https://www.fda.org.uk/home/Newsandmedia/News/Bravermans-Statement-Clear-Breach-Of-Ministerial-Code-Says-FDA.aspx
There is of course the minor matter of Rishi Sunak not declaring his wife’s shares in Koru Kids, a childcare agency. This is probably important regarding him speaking about the childcare changes at his appearance before the liaison committee on Tuesday. When asked by the Labour MP Catherine McKinnell whether he had anything to declare he said, “No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way”.
Sir Laurie continues to take things easy, obviously not seeing anything that should concern him.