Rowen quizzes top civil servant

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Nov 2007

Rochdale MP and member of the Public Administration Select Committee, Paul Rowen, today quizzed Britain's top civil servant, Sir Gus O'Donnell, on propriety and sleaze.

The meeting was called to discuss the multi-millionaire Tory donor Lord Ashcroft. Lord Ashcroft twice promised to return from the tax haven of Belize before he received his peerage seven years ago, but has refused to disclose whether he has done so. Lord Ashcroft has given the Conservative party millions of pounds in donations.

Mr Rowen said: "When the Conservatives appointed Lord Ashcroft to the House of Lords, he promised he would return from Belize. I don't think that it's too much to ask that all peers live, and pay tax, in the UK. As a peer and a financial backer of the Tory party, Lord Ashcroft has significant influence in the British political system. He should live up to his responsibilities too.

"I asked the Cabinet Secretary why we can't have guidelines for appointed representatives on expenses and domicile. His response was that it might be a good idea, but it wasn't his job. I suggest that Gordon Brown makes it somebody's job - and soon."

Mr Rowen also pushed Sir Gus on the controversial role of Special Advisors.

Mr Rowen continued: "The numbers of Special Advisors soared when Tony Blair came to power. They are paid for with public money, but they are not civil servants. They are not subject to the same rules and regulations, merely a 'code of conduct'. They would not necessarily be reprimanded for behaviour that would see civil servants sacked and MPs suspended from the House of Commons. It's an absolute disgrace.

"It's no secret that under Gordon Brown, like Mr Blair before him, these Special Advisors wield huge powers. They often decide policy and control access to Government Ministers and even the Prime Minister. There must be regulation on what is acceptable.

"I am pleased that Gus O'Donnell has agreed to look into new regulations. The Labour Government has come under a lot of criticism for sleaze, and I hope they will take this opportunity to put the necessary safeguards in place."