Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Rt hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 24 July 2025, whether the application of the Civil Service and Diplomatic Code applies to political appointees.

Yes. Where such appointments are made, individuals are appointed on a standard Civil Service Fixed Term Contract and are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code.