Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for (a) undertaking and (b) overseeing the due diligence process in relation to the appointment of a Cabinet Secretary; and how potential conflicts of interest are managed.

I refer to the Gov.uk announcement of the Cabinet Secretary appointment, which said that a due diligence process has also been undertaken by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office and the interim Government Chief People Officer.

The First Civil Service Commissioner approved the comprehensive due diligence process and agreed the conclusions drawn, to form the basis for the Prime Minister to make an appointment decision.

All Permanent Secretaries must follow the ‘Declaration and management of outside interests in the Civil Service’ guidance.