Defence Secretary Ben Wallace faces questions over whether he played a role in bringing the National Cyber Force’s £5billion headquarters to his own backyard.
The Cabinet Minister, tipped as a possible successor to Boris Johnson, reportedly intervened to make sure the newly-formed prestigious unit was based in Samlesbury, Lancs - next door to his own constituency.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey has written to the Ministry of Defence ’s top civil servant demanding answers over whether former Scots Guards captain Mr Wallace influenced the choice.
His letter to MoD permanent secretary David Williams, seen by the Mirror, says: “Samlesbury is, of course, in the Defence Secretary’s neighbouring Lancashire constituency, just one mile away from his own constituency of Wyre and Preston North, and there will be a direct benefit from this decision to his area.
“This clearly raises questions about how such a sensitive decision has been handled within the MoD and whether there has been any breach of the Ministerial Code.”
The National Cyber Force was set up in 2020 as a partnership between UK defence and intelligence agencies.
It brings together MI6, eavesdropping agency GCHQ, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the MoD.
Announcing Samlesbury had been chosen as the base, Mr Wallace said in October: “The National Cyber Force located in Samlesbury will embrace exciting new offensive cyber technologies and provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and expertise to the North West.
“I am hugely proud and enthusiastic to see this happen.
“Not only will it provide a catalyst for investment, but also see our levelling-up agenda bring economic stimulus and tangible benefits to this region.”
In his letter, Mr Healey cites claims that “more appropriate locations were rejected without clear justification” and that “Samlesbury had never been on any early list” of possible sites.
The Labour frontbencher Healey goes on: “This is a serious allegation.
“The National Cyber Force is essential to our national defence and these decisions should be made on the benefit to national security not the benefit to the Defence Secretary.
“This decision is also long term and the scale of public money significant.
“As you know, the Ministerial Code states that ‘where ministers have to take decisions within their departments which might have an impact on their own constituencies, they must take particular care to avoid any possible conflict of interest’.
“To clear up concerns about probity in the process and possible breaches of the Ministerial Code, the MoD should disclose to Parliament the full documentation covering the assessments and advice on which this decision was taken, including the list of locations rejected in favour of Salmesbury.”
A senior defence source said: “The decision to locate the site of the National Cyber Force in Samlesbury resulted from an extensive selection process, including a business case which took into account the economic and social impacts.
“To suggest otherwise is wholly inaccurate and not supported by the rigorous selection process undertaken.
“This is yet another desperate attempt by the Labour Party, with nothing to contribute to Britain’s defence, trying to undermine our investment in the North of England, by playing petty politics.
“The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence will be replying to John Healey.”
