What's the point... might as well not bother
Boris Johnson has sparked fury by rejecting a sleaze watchdog’s call for his new independent ethics adviser to be given the power to launch investigations into ministerial wrongdoing.
And the prime minister indicated that ministers who breach their code of conduct will no longer automatically face the sack – a practice he condemned as “disproportionate”.
New terms of reference for the post of independent adviser, published as the Queen’s former private secretary Lord Geidt was appointed to the role, made clear that he will for the first time be able to bring concerns about a minister’s behaviour to the PM’s attention.
But – contrary to a recommendation from the Committee on Standards in Public Life – Mr Johnson will hold on to the power to decide whether an inquiry should be launched.
And he will remain the final judge and jury on whether a minister is guilty of wrongdoing and what punishment should be handed out.
Fury as Boris Johnson denies adviser power to launch sleaze inquiries (msn.com)