Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the recruitment process for the Independent Ethics Adviser began.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my honourable friend, the member for Brentwood and Ongar, Alex Burghart MP, in response to the Urgent Question on 30 November.

In May, the Government published a policy statement alongside revised Terms of Reference, which set out reforms to the role of Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests. This included an enhanced process for the initiation of investigations under the Ministerial Code. The appointment has been for a five-year fixed term since April 2021.

The appointment process for the Independent Adviser is ongoing, and the House will be updated on this when an appointment has been made.

The Prime Minister set out his clear intention to appoint an Independent Adviser when he assumed office.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 15 July 2022, Official Report, HCWS208. As explained in that statement, work on further reforms recommend by the Committee on Standards in Public Life continues and will be informed by the new Prime Minister. That statement can be found here https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-07-15/hcws208