Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests

Viscount Hailsham Excerpts

Thursday 16th June 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, it would depend on who the person was and whether they were qualified to perform the important role of an independent adviser.

[Viscount Hailsham (Con)]

My Lords, the Prime Minister will find it very difficult to recruit an independent adviser unless he agrees to at least three conditions. First, the independent adviser should have a wholly unfettered right to instigate investigations. Secondly, the report should be laid before Parliament in an unredacted form unless the independent adviser has previously agreed otherwise. Lastly, if the independent adviser recommends, the matter should be debated on the Floor of the House.

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, my noble friend makes interesting suggestions, as he always does. The recent changes have potentially very much strengthened the role of the independent adviser. On the role of the Prime Minister, it was made very clear again this morning by my right honourable friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and, as I said, in the House previously, that normally the Prime Minister would accede. The exception referred to in the House is national security, which would be in certain cases a reasonable exception.