The Conservative Party has called for a thorough investigation into the appointment of 12 individuals with Labour connections to Civil Service positions under Sir Keir Starmer's government. This demand comes amidst growing concerns about potential breaches of recruitment rules and the impartiality of the Civil Service.
Chris Philp, the shadow leader of the House of Commons, has compiled a list of 12 Labour donors or supporters who have been given "supposedly neutral" Civil Service jobs. In a letter to Baroness Stuart, the Civil Service commissioner, Philp urged an investigation into these appointments, questioning whether ministers initiated any of them and if there were any breaches of Civil Service recruitment rules.
The Civil Service, which dates back to 1855, has long upheld the principle of political impartiality. The current Civil Service Code, introduced in 1996, emphasizes this neutrality. However, recent appointments have raised eyebrows and sparked debate about potential conflicts of interest.
One high-profile appointment is that of Ian Corfield to a Treasury role. Corfield, a former banker, has donated £20,000 to Labour MPs, including £5,000 to now-Chancellor Rachel Reeves in 2023. Other notable appointments include Emily Middleton as a director general in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Oliver Newton as head of business engagement in the Treasury.
The Treasury, one of the oldest government departments with origins dating back to the Norman Conquest, has seen several Labour-linked appointments. This has led to concerns about the potential influence of political affiliations on supposedly neutral government roles.
Baroness Stuart has launched a review of appointments to some government jobs, focusing on positions below Civil Service grade six. This grade typically includes salaries up to £61,000 and does not usually require referral to the Civil Service commission.
Philp expressed his concerns, stating:
"It strikes me as unacceptable for political donors or politically aligned people to be appointed to supposedly neutral Civil Service rules without open competition, especially without disclosing the conflict arising from the prior political connections at the point of appointment, as required by the Ministerial Code."
The Conservative Party has accused the Labour government of becoming "mired in sleaze" within weeks of taking office. They claim these appointments, along with other controversial decisions, are eroding public trust in the government.
As of 2023, there were approximately 490,000 civil servants in the UK. The ongoing debate about these appointments highlights the delicate balance between political leadership and the need for an impartial civil service in a modern democracy.
The Cabinet Office, established in 1916 to support the Prime Minister and Cabinet, has been approached for comment on these allegations. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the relationship between political parties and the Civil Service in the future.