Tom Gordon MP calls for tightening of the Ministerial Code in the wake of the “grubby” Mandelson saga

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough called for
the Ministerial Code to be made binding this week as the Mandelson Scandal
unfurls. The call came as part of an Urgent Question in Parliament regarding the
Government’s approach to redacting or withholding documents.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, insisted that the Government
had adopted a “normal approach” to redacting files, after the committee reviewing
the documents. Mr Gordon however slammed the fact there was no timetable
documents’ release and the lack of subsequent accountability measures.

The MP said in his speech: “This grubby saga highlights why the Ministerial
Code and responsibility in Government is something the public don’t seem to think
actually count for anything anymore”.

Mr Gordon called for it to be made legally binding. The Code currently acts as a set
of conventions or guidelines for ministers and lacks any legal basis. It instead relying
on political discretion with the Prime Minister being the ultimate judge of breaches.

Tom said:

“This is one of those times where I really worry about the state of trust between
people and the Government.

We should seriously consider making the Ministerial Code binding so there are
actually consequences in these situations.”