Brown breaks ministerial code before break
Prime minister Gordon Brown published 10 written statements yesterday, the last day of business before Parliament breaks for summer recess.
A total of 30 written ministerial statements were released, including announcement of gifts received by ministers and hospitality for guests entertained at Chequers.
“The Prime Minister has violated his own Ministerial Code of Conduct 10 times in one day,” said Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP.
“[The] order paper shows 30 written statements being shoved out together, in clear violation of the rules.”
According to the Ministerial Code of Conduct, “every effort should be made to avoid leaving significant announcements to the last day before a recess.”
This was an attempt to bury bad news by releasing it all together before the recess, Mr Baker suggested.
The summer recess ends on October 6th.
