SIR Laurie Magnus has been appointed as Rishi Sunak’s new independent adviser on ministers’ interests, Downing Street has confirmed.
The appointment will fill the role of ethics adviser to the Prime Minister, ending the vacancy after Lord Geidt quit under Johnson earlier this year.
In a letter to Magnus, Sunak said that the role of an independent adviser played a critically “important role” in Government.
“I have sought to identify potential candidates who can demonstrate the critical qualities of integrity and independence, relevant expertise and experience, and an ability to command the trust and confidence of ministers.
“Having discussed the role with you, I am confident that you not only demonstrate these qualities but that you will serve in the role with distinction, in the best traditions of public service.”
Sunak had faced questions about the apparent delays in appointing a new ethics adviser after committing to do so in the Tory leadership contest over the summer.
Magnus is the current chair of Historic England and will take up the adviser role for a non-renewable five-year term.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said that an “early priority” would be to scrutinise the declarations of interests by Government ministers.
“I will endeavour to discharge the important responsibilities of the role with fairness and integrity, in a manner which inspires the confidence of Ministers, Parliament and the public,” he told Sunak.
“I see maintaining that confidence as a critically important element of governance in this country. It is an honour to be asked to carry out the role, and a significant responsibility.”
The Prime Minister ignored a call from the Committee on Standards in Public Life to give the adviser the power to start their own investigation without permission from Sunak.
Labour accused Sunak of having chosen to “preserve the rotten ethics regime” that led to the resignations of both Lord Geidt and his predecessor Sir Alex Allan.
Policy watchers at the Institute for Government said it was “unwise” for Sir Laurie to accept the role without a strengthened remit.
Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union representing senior civil servants, argued Mr Sunak is “essentially continuity Boris Johnson when it comes to the ministerial code and ministerial conduct”.
“The Prime Minister retains a veto over investigations into his minister’s conduct and is the sole arbiter of the Ministerial Code, including any sanctions. How will this give civil servants the confidence to come forward?” he asked.
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP who chairs the Commons Standards Committee, told the BBC the system is “bust”, with the Prime Minister “judge and jury in his own court”.
