Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many alleged breaches of the Civil Service Code by Special Advisers have been acted upon by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will list those alleged breaches by Department.

Reflecting the nature of their role, Special Advisors conduct themselves in accordance with the Special Advisors’ Code of Conduct, rather than all the provisions of the Civil Service Code.

As outlined in the Special Advisors’ Code of Conduct, the responsibility for the management of conduct of Special Advisors rests with the Minister who made the appointment.