The inquiry was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who issued a written ministerial statement stating that Ms Grey was offered the option to make submissions as part of the process but opted not to do so.
However, the government is unable to provide additional information at this time as it considers next steps.
According to the full statement, on March 6, 2023, Minister for the Cabinet Office and HM Paymaster General announced in response to an Urgent Question that the Cabinet Office had been asked to investigate the circumstances leading to the resignation of Sue Grey, the former Permanent Secretary for the Union and the Constitution, and committed to updating Parliament as appropriate.
This procedure included interviewing relevant people to learn more about Ms Gray’s communication with the Leader of the Opposition.
I can inform the House that Ms Grey was given the option to make representations as part of this process but declined.
I trust the House understands that, in order to respect confidentiality for an individual former employee, I am unable to offer additional details about Ms Gray’s departure at this time while we evaluate next measures.
All government officials are obligated to obey the government Service Code, which outlines the Civil Service’s four key values:
- Integrity – putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests * Honesty – being truthful and open * Objectivity – basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence * Impartiality – acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions.
Section 4.4.9 of the Civil Service Management Code states that all Senior Civil Service members are in the ‘politically restricted’ category, which limits their political participation.
Furthermore, the Directory of Civil Service Guidance, which underpins the Civil Service Code, states that ‘contacts between senior civil servants and leading members of Opposition parties…should…be cleared with…Ministers.’
The Civil Service’s impartiality and perceived impartiality is constitutionally essential to the administration of government. Ministers must be able to speak to their officials with complete confidence, thus it is everyone’s obligation in this House to preserve and support the civil service’s impartiality.
Separately, the Cabinet Office has made submissions to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACoBA), the independent appointments watchdog, regarding Ms Gray’s application for advice under the Business Appointments Rules prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition. The Government’s secret assessment follows the standard procedure, and ACoBA will review evidence from several sources before making a recommendation on any suitable constraints on the appointment. The goal of the Business Appointment Rules, as stated in the Rules, is to avoid any reasonable suspicion that “a former civil servant might improperly exploit privileged access to contacts in Government or sensitive information.” ACoBA makes the final decision on any recommended appointment limits.
In due course, the Government will submit another update to the House.
