Breaking
PM investigated over possible failure to declare wife’s shareholding in childcare firm
Alexandra Rogers
Political reporter @Journoamrogers
Monday 17 April 2023 14:47, UK
Listen to this article
0:00 / 5:38
1X
BeyondWords
Audio created using AI assistance
Rishi Sunak
Why you can trust Sky News
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 MP’s 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 Downing Street source said the investigation relates to the shares Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty holds in a childcare agency that could benefit from a policy announced in the budget.
Read more:
Search for your MP’s expenses on our Westminster Accounts tool
PM says ‘transparency really important’
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 when he was questioned by MPs over why the financial announcement favoured private firms.
MORE FROM POLITICS
Pic: AP
Politics latest: Probe ‘clearly serious’ for Sunak; PM’s wife at heart of matter; Downing Street issues response
The Westminster Accounts is a collaboration between Sky News and Tortoise Media
Westminster Accounts: Search for your MP or enter your full postcode
File photo dated 21/05/20 of nurses in PPE on a hospital ward, as nurses in Northern Ireland will take to the picket lines for the second time in three years “with heavy hearts”, but they feel they have been “left with no choice”, the Royal College of Nursing have said.
COVID-19: PPE storage still costs taxpayers £580,000 a day, new figures reveal
The i newspaper revealed that Companies House lists her as a shareholder in the organisation as recently as 6 March.
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty attend a parenting workshop during a visit at a family hub in St Austell, Cornwall
Image:
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty
In a letter to parliament’s liaison committee, which quizzed the PM last month, Mr Sunak said he had declared the interest on the ministers’ register – but rules state that ministers should also update the financial register that exists for MPs.
“I note that there has been some media coverage relating to the minority stake my wife has in relation to the company Koru Kids,” Mr Sunak wrote.
“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.
Sunak’s wife at centre of the investigation – politics latest
“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 project launched in January, the prime minister said there was a reason that “rules and regulations” are in place.
“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.
Rishi Sunka giving evidence to the Liaison Committee
Image:
Rishi Sunak giving evidence to the liaison committee in March.
“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 Murthy’s shareholding raised “serious questions” for Mr Sunak and called on Sir Laurie to investigate.
And 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.
“This is on the same day that Rishi Sunak may have broken election rules for his government announcement today.
“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.”
Read more:
Tory MP has whip suspended after suggesting he is willing to break lobbying rules for money
Matt Hancock among three MPs under investigation by Commons watchdog
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 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.
