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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Mikey Smith

Tory ministers could be sent on a 'sleaze awareness course' under new bill

Ministers would be sent on a “sleaze awareness course” under a new bill set to be introduced in Parliament.

The bill, tabled by the Lib Dems, would require ministers to attend annual ethics and standards training in a bid to stem the flow of scandals surrounding the Government.

Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to launch a probe into Home Secretary Suella Braverman over her speeding ticket row.

Rishi Sunak promised integrity, accountability and professionalism but it seems he can hardly go a week without another one of his ministers landing in a crisis,” Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said.

Ms Braverman has been accused of breaking the ministerial code by asking civil servants, who are supposed to be independent, to help her arrange a private, one-to-one speed awareness course.

The row follows a string of resignations since Mr Sunak took office over breaches of the code.

Rishi Sunak is under pressure to launch a probe into Suella Braverman's speeding row (AP)

Dominic Raab was forced to quit after a probe found he had bullied civil servants.

Before him, Nadhim Zahawi resigned as party chairman after ethics adviser Laurie Magnus found he’d breached the Ministerial Code by failing to disclose he was being investigated by the tax man while he served in his previous position as Chancellor under Boris Johnson.

And Gavin Williamson quit his nonspecific ministerial role just days into Mr Sunak’s premiership over claims he’d bullied then-chief whip Wendy Morton, which he strenuously denied.

Do you back calls for ministers to do a sleaze awareness course? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Ms Chamberlain added: “From Raab to Braverman, from Williamson to Zahawi, Conservative Ministers have dragged standards in public life into the gutter.

“It’s time for the Prime Minister to finally try and get a grip - he’s continually allowed his Government to be mired in sleaze and scandal. He must introduce mandatory training of Conservative Ministers to stop the sleaze and fix this mess.”

The Ministerial Conduct (Training) Bill will be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday.

Its long title will be: “Bill to require Ministers of the Crown to undertake annual training in matters relating to propriety, ethics and standards; and for connected purposes.”

It is unlikely to become law without Government support.

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