Vetting watchdog finds ineffective rules preventing ex-ministers from taking lucrative jobs

The current rules surrounding the prevention of former ministers being rewarded with lucrative jobs in the industry they oversaw are considered “toothless” and in need of strengthening, according to Lord Pickles, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba). Lord Pickles has expressed support for the application of fines for individuals found in breach of vetting procedures. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden recently announced a new ethics regime that includes the possibility of imposing financial sanctions on former ministers who violate the rules on post-government employment.

One significant change aims to address breaches of Acoba rules, which former prime minister Boris Johnson was recently accused of after giving the committee a mere 30-minute notice before accepting a new position as a Daily Mail columnist. This change involves the creation of a “ministerial deed” that legally obligates ministers to adhere to the rules regarding job acceptance after leaving office, subjecting them to the same restrictions as civil servants.

When asked why he supports these measures, Lord Pickles stated that the current rules lack effectiveness and require more robust enforcement. He often reaches out to the Deputy Prime Minister to report problematic situations, but acknowledges that the rules as they stand are essentially useless. The new regulations will establish legal obligations for both ministers and civil servants, ensuring that regulators cannot expect to enter the same industry upon leaving government. Lord Pickles believes that the introduction of financial penalties is necessary to encourage compliance with these regulations.

Regarding the recent “Downing Street Partygate” scandal, Lord Pickles mentioned that fines would be imposed for the most severe and obvious violations. He noted that Boris Johnson had the opportunity to revise the rules surrounding former ministers and MPs taking on media roles while in Downing Street. The former prime minister was found to have committed an explicit breach of government rules and the ministerial code by only providing 30 minutes’ notice to Acoba about his paid column in the Mail. Lord Pickles clarified that the proposed rules do not deem newspaper columns or appearances on television as significant issues, as they primarily focus on government interests. Had Johnson followed their recommendations, the situation would not have escalated into a story.

BBC presenter Nick Robinson responded to Lord Pickles’s comments, alluding to the recent hiring of Tory MPs by GB News, by stating that politicians are not allowed to present the Today programme due to impartiality concerns.