Steerpike Steerpike

Tories call for watchdog inquiry into Labour cronyism row

(Getty Images)

Back to Whitehall, where the row over civil service appointments continues to gather pace. It transpires that the Conservatives have called for a watchdog inquiry into recent perks awarded to Labour donors – after one was offered a civil service job and another received a pass to No. 10. It certainly doesn’t seem like this cronyism row is going anywhere soon for Sir Keir…

Now shadow Commons leader Chris Philp has informed MPs that he is requesting the civil service commissioner and the adviser on ministerial interests to examine the rather curious cases of Sir Ian Corfield and Lord Alli. Philp slammed Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour lot for ‘improper appointments’, fuming: ‘A “government of service”… They mean just service to their cronies and their donors. It is just wrong to stuff party donors and cronies into what are supposed to be impartial civil service positions.’ Ouch. He’s certainly pulling no punches…

Mr S would remind readers that the cronyism scandal taking hold of Starmer’s army extends past the treatment of Corfield and Alli. The appointments of Emily Middleton to the Department for Science, Jess Sargeant to the Cabinet Office’s ethical standards group, Hayden Etherington to the housing department and Oliver Newton to the Treasury have also raised eyebrows. And – alongside Starmer, his Chancellor Rachel Reeves and his chief-of-staff Sue Gray – Wes Streeting has found himself in the spotlight over controversial hires too. It recently emerged that a former Streeting staffer had been given a civil service role in the Department of Health, prompting further criticism of the lefty Labour lot – and some further investigating by Victoria Atkins. The shadow health secretary wrote to Streeting’s department in late August about the matter, enquiring:

What…direct ministerial and (b) other public appointments his Department has made since the general election; and if he will publish any political activity declared by each appointee. Whether his Department has appointed civil servants who (a) previously (i) worked for and (ii) were seconded to the Labour Party, (b) previously donated to the Labour Party and (c) have been Labour parliamentarians since the general election.

Not that the Department of Health has shed more light on the issue. A reply so far reads: ‘It will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.’ Will more cronyism claims crop up? Stay tuned…

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments