Parliament’s standards watchdog has opened an investigation into the prime minister over a possible failure to declare an interest when first asked.
The probe by the standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, was launched last Thursday and cited paragraph 6 of the MPs’ code of conduct, which governs how MPs should behave.
The code states that MPs “must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees, and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials or public office holders”.
A spokesperson for Number 10 said: “We are happy to assist the commissioner to clarify how this has been transparently declared as a ministerial interest.”
Mr Sunak faced accusations of a possible conflict of interest after he failed to mention Ms Murty’s links to Koru Kids, a childcare agency, when he was questioned by MPs over why the announcement in the budget that childminders joining the profession will receive incentive payments favoured private firms.
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The i newspaper revealed that Companies House listed her as a shareholder in the organisation as recently as 6 March.
In a letter to parliament’s liaison committee, which quizzed the PM last month, Mr Sunak said he had declared his interests in “the normal way”.
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However, in his subsequent letter to the committee, he certified that this was in the ministers’ register, which had not been published at the time he gave evidence to MPs.
While the MPs’ register of interests requires members to declare any payments, donations or hospitality that might be reasonably considered to influence their work in parliament, the MPs’ code of conduct does not require them to record the interests of their spouses or partners.
However, the ministerial register of interests is governed by the ministerial code – which does require the declaration of “interests of the minister’s spouse or partner and close family which might be thought to give rise to a conflict”.
According to the Institute for Government, this distinction makes the ministerial register of interests stricter than that of the MPs’ register of interests.
Any potential punishment is far down the line, but this probe is clearly serious
The overall aim was to boost the number of childminders able to take up work, which came as part of a broader package about expanding childcare for parents of younger children as well.
The allegation is essentially that when Rishi Sunak was being asked about this, he hadn’t flagged up in that instant that his wife was a shareholder in an agency that would potentially benefit from this policy announcement.
Yes, it was out there in the media, but the rules and code of conduct of parliament is that you have to take formal steps to outline these potential interests so that any potential conflicts of interest between your political day job and personal interests are set out and transparent.
This investigation will go on to see whether the prime minister has declared his interests properly.
The defence from the prime minister is that actually because there’s a register of ministerial interests, where ministers declare potential financial interests or conflicts; because that hasn’t been updated for a year or so now, the new register of ministerial interests will have it detailed there.
The standards adviser investigates and comes back with a decision on whether the code of conduct has been broken.
If it has, that’s where the focus shifts onto what type of punishment should be imposed.
That’s quite far down the line, but it is clearly serious.
But critics, including the Labour chairman of the Standards Committee Chris Bryant, have called for the two registers to be combined because the ministerial register is published far less frequently and so is less visible to the public.
In his letter to the committee, Mr Sunak wrote: “I note that there has been some media coverage relating to the minority stake my wife has in relation to the company Koru Kids.
“I was being asked questions by the committee in my capacity as prime minister.
“I would like to clarify for the parliamentary record that this interest has rightly been declared to the Cabinet Office.”
The prime minister said the most recent list of ministerial interests would be published “shortly” by his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus.
“This regime ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential conflict of interest, and that the interests of ministers’ spouses or partners are not something that would influence their actions either as ministers or as members of parliament,” he added.
Mr Sunak has previously said that “transparency is really important” for parliament to operate well.
In reaction to Sky News’ Westminster Accounts projectlaunched in January, the prime minister said there was a reason that “rules and regulations” are in place.
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3:57
Sunak: ‘Transparency is important’
“I think transparency is really important for the healthy functioning of democracy, it’s absolutely right that there’s disclosures around donations and outside interests,” he said.
Mr Sunak wrote to the liaison committee to follow up on points that were raised at its session with the prime minister last month.
Labour MP Catherine McKinnell pointed out that six private childcare agencies were set to benefit from Jeremy Hunt’s budget, in which the chancellor announced a pilot of incentive payments of £600 for childminders joining the profession – a sum that doubles to £1,200 if they sign up through an agency.
Ms McKinnell quizzed Mr Sunak on the logic behind making the bonus twice as much for childminders who sign up through private agencies.
His response was that the policy was “designed in consultation with the sector”.
Pressed again on the rationale, he said: “I think it’s a reflection of the fact that they are through intermediaries so there are additional costs.
“And, ultimately, we want to make sure the policy is effective in bringing additional people into the system.”
Asked if he had any interest to declare, Mr Sunak replied: “No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way.”
The Liberal Democrats previously said that Ms Murty’s shareholding raised “serious questions” for Mr Sunak and called on Sir Laurie to investigate.
In response to the launch of the investigation, Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: “Another day and another accusation of a Conservative prime minister bending the rules.
“After months of Conservative sleaze and scandal, the public just want a government which is focused on the country, rather than saving their own skin.”
Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: “This government’s failure to update the rules or publish a register of ministers’ interests in nearly a year has left a transparency black hole which is enabling the prime minister and those he has appointed to dodge proper scrutiny of their affairs.
“If Rishi Sunak has got nothing to hide, he should commit to publishing the register before May’s elections so the public can see for themselves.
“While this prime minister fails to deliver the integrity he promised and preserves the rotten standards regime he inherited as the Tories resist tighter rules, Labour has a plan to clean up politics with an Independent ethics and integrity commission to restore standards in public life.”
The prime minister is just the latest MP to be investigated by the commissioner, who is looking into the behaviour of six MPs in total.
Last week investigations were opened into three MPs, including former health secretary Matt Hancock, Tory MP Henry Smith and independent MP Scott Benton.
Masked burglars have stolen farm vehicles from the Windsor Castle estate while members of the Royal Family are believed to have been asleep nearby.
Two men scaled a 6ft fence on the night of 13 October and used a stolen truck to break through a security gate, The Sun first reported.
The pair then fled with a pick-up and a quad bike that were stored in a barn.
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But the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Louis were believed to have been in their home, Adelaide Cottage, on the estate, according to The Sun.
The family moved there in 2022.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: “At around 11.45pm on Sunday 13 October, we received a report of burglary at a property on Crown Estate land near to the A308 in Windsor.
“Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then made off towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area.
“No arrests have been made at this stage and an investigation is ongoing.”
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The UK is braced for “disruptive snow” as yellow weather warnings cover large parts of the country until Tuesday – with the Met Office saying there is the “potential” for the alerts to be “escalated”.
The forecaster has warned up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas as the country experiences its “first taste of winter”.
The Met Office has also told people to expect ice, cold temperatures and wintry showers this week.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for much of the north of the country – covering areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales and the north of England – from 7pm on Monday night to 10am on Tuesday morning.
Those in the impacted areas have been told power cuts are possible and mobile phone coverage might be affected.
The Met Office has said there is a “slight chance” some rural communities could be cut off and that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled.
People are also warned to be careful not to slip or fall on icy surfaces.
The Met Office has said there will be bright spells across northern and eastern areas throughout today, but rain in the south and west will gradually spread northeastwards and turn to snow over northern hills.
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Tom Morgan, Met Office meteorologist, said: “We could see some disruptive snow in the Pennine regions, in particular, the Peak District as well, especially Monday night, but we could well see some impacts lasting on until Tuesday morning’s rush hour.
“Even down to lower levels, we could well see some snow as well, so quite a bit of disruption possible by Tuesday morning, and then the week ahead is likely to stay cold nationwide, a windy day on Tuesday, and then winter showers through the week ahead.”
Mr Morgan said that despite a “mild” start to the month, the cold conditions are more typical of “mid-winter to late-winter”.
“What we can say is that it’s going to be very cold for the time of year, there will be widespread overnight frosts, and a few locations where there’s snow on the ground,” he continued.
Meanwhile, a yellow snow and ice weather warning that came into force at 4pm on Sunday will end at 11am this morning.
The warning covers the northern tip of Scotland and people there have been told there may be icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
The Met Office has said there is “potential” for both yellow warnings to be “escalated”.
In southern England, a typical maximum temperature for this time of year is 11C (52F), but daytime highs for the week ahead are forecast to be around 5C (41F), while some parts of Scotland will reach “only just above freezing”, Mr Morgan said.
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The meteorologist said the public can best prepare for the wintry weather by checking their cars are suitable for icy and potentially snowy conditions and to take extra supplies including food, blankets and a fully charged mobile phone with them on journeys.
He added there were “likely” to be changes to the weather warnings in the coming days, and that “winter flurries” could be seen in the south of England later in the week.
Despite the cold conditions, the “whole of the UK” will enjoy more sunshine this week, the meteorologist added.
He said: “There’ll be some snow showers in the peripheries of the UK, particularly northern Scotland, and down the east and the west coast, but if you live inland and you live in the south, there’ll be lots of sparkly blue skies on the most days through Tuesday to Friday.”
It comes as a cold weather alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency, which was introduced at 9am on Sunday, will be in place until 9am on Thursday.
It covers a large area of England, north of Northhampton. The alert is triggered when there is a risk that healthcare services might face extra pressure and is designed to prepare those who are “particularly vulnerable” and “likely to struggle to cope”.
A man has pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog which killed his neighbour.
Christopher Bell, 45, admitted to the offence at Newcastle Crown Court.
The XL bully killed Ian Langley in Shiney Row near Sunderland on 3 October last year.
The 54-year-old suffered fatal neck injuries when he was attacked while walking his puppy.
Bell, formerly of Maple Terrace, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place.
Bell, now living in Coltman Street, Hull, was granted bail and will be sentenced on 27 January.
The charge named his dog as Titan – “an American bully XL”.
Police shot the dog at the scene to protect the public.
Neighbours said Mr Langley, who was originally from Liverpool, was walking his patterdale puppy called Bow when he was attacked.
His puppy bolted and managed to escape and was being looked after by a neighbour in the aftermath of the attack which horrified residents living on the estate.
At the time, Michael Kennedy, also from Shiney Row, said he had known Mr Langley for more than 20 years, and said many people knew him simply as “Scouse”.
He said: “He was a really nice lad, he came from Liverpool, he was a lovable rogue you might say.
“He never did any harm, he was not a violent person, he wasn’t a hard man, he wasn’t the type to go looking for trouble.
“He was really thin, he would have no chance against a big dog.”