The Conservative Party has raised concerns over the appointment of several senior civil servants by the Labour government, alleging potential breaches of hiring rules and political bias. The Cabinet Office, however, has dismissed these claims as “untrue.”
The controversy centers on recent appointments including Emily Middleton, formerly associated with the Labour-aligned group Labour Together, and Ian Corfield, a known donor to the Labour Party. The Conservatives argue that these hires could reflect an effort by Labour ministers to circumvent restrictions set by Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, who has reportedly been blocking political appointees.
Conservative MP John Glen, who serves as the shadow paymaster general, has formally requested an investigation from the Civil Service Commission. This commission, led by Baroness Gisela Stuart, is responsible for ensuring the impartiality of the Civil Service.
In his letter to the commission, Mr. Glen cites the 1854 Northcote-Trevelyan report, which he describes as the “foundation of the modern Civil Service.” He underscores the report’s warning against appointments based on “personal and political considerations.” His letter constitutes a formal complaint under section 13 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, which was passed under the Gordon Brown administration.
Mr. Glen has called for a “thorough investigation” to verify that the recent appointments adhere to the Civil Service code and are free from political influence. He expressed concern that these instances might signal a broader trend towards the politicization of the Civil Service under the current administration.
Alex Thomas, programme director at the Institute for Government thinktank and a former Civil Service director, has noted that the new government’s actions are not entirely unprecedented. Thomas explains that there are established processes for hiring exceptions when ministers need to bring individuals into their departments urgently. However, he suggests that these roles should ideally be filled through rapid recruitment processes rather than direct appointments.
The Labour government has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the appointments in question are in full compliance with regulations and aim to strengthen the Civil Service’s capabilities.
As the debate continues, the Conservative Party remains focused on ensuring that appointments are made with strict adherence to the principles of impartiality and transparency.