Mandelson scandal must be a turning point for standards in public life

Transparency International UK have responded to the Government's announcement of reforms to the Whitehall standards regime. 

The Government has today announced a package of reforms to strengthen ethics and integrity in public life, including a review of financial disclosures, lobbying transparency and the Business Appointment Rules. The Ethics and Integrity Commission has been tasked with reviewing current arrangements, and Baroness Anderson has been appointed to drive delivery of the reforms. Ministers have also asked the Lords Conduct Committee to review its Code of Conduct, including rules on lobbying and paid advocacy.

Duncan Hames, Director of Policy, Transparency International UK, said:

"These reforms are long overdue. It should not have taken the Mandelson scandal to force action on problems that have been well-documented for years — from toothless lobbying rules to a revolving door that lets former ministers cash in on their contacts after leaving office.

"It is good to see the Government tasking its Ethics and Integrity Commission with driving these changes, and assigning clear ministerial responsibility for delivering them. But ministers already have a blueprint for reform: the Committee on Standards in Public Life has made clear recommendations that have gathered dust - those should be the starting point, not forgotten.

"This case should also be a wake-up call for those in the Lords who think they can operate to a different standard. Tightening the Lords' Code of Conduct and bringing lobbying rules in line with the Commons is essential — the upper chamber cannot remain a blind spot for accountability.

"The test of this announcement will be whether it leads to real change or becomes just another exercise in managing a crisis."

Transparency International UK has long called for reforms to the UK's lobbying regime, the Business Appointment Rules  and standards in the House of Lords . The Committee on Standards in Public Life has made a series of recommendations in these areas which remain unimplemented .