Dominic Raab says he doesn’t know why Lord Geidt resigned
Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser Lord Geidt has dealt the prime minister a blow by saying the PM put him in an “impossible and odious position” by considering taking action that was a deliberate breach of his own ministerial code.
In a resignation letter – published in full on Thursday morning after No 10 came under pressure when it initially released only a short statement – the former adviser said he had clung on to his role “by a very small margin” over the Partygate scandal.
The ministerial interests adviser said he was forced to quit when he was asked to offer a view on the government’s “intention to consider measures which risk a deliberate and purposeful breach of the ministerial code”.
The prime minister’s response indicated that the issue related to advice on the Trade Remedies Authority.
Lord Geidt said the idea that the prime minister “might to any degree be in the business of deliberately breaching his own code is an affront”.
Sketch: Who among us is stupid enough to be Boris Johnson’s next ethics adviser?
Agreeing to be Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser is an act of stupidity that can be rivalled only by agreeing to be a vegan chef to a Tyrannosaurus Rex, writes Tom Peck:
PM may not replace ethics adviser after second quits in two years
Boris Johnson is considering abolishing the role of independent ethics adviser, after the second dramatic resignation from the position in Downing Street in less than two years, writes Andrew Woodcock:
Dispute ‘not linked to PM’s own finances’
Downing Street insisted the dispute was not linked to the financial interests of Boris Johnson or any minister.
Asked whether the Prime Minister had requested advice related to his own finances that might be tangentially connected to the trade dispute, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No… or any other minister.”
Asked whether it was linked to the Conservative Party’s finances, the spokesman said: “Not that I am aware of. I have seen speculation to that end, but that’s certainly not my understanding of it.”
No ethics left in Downing Street, says Labour deputy leader
Labour demanded Boris Johnson appoint a new watchdog to replace Lord Geidt as ministerial interests adviser.
Deputy party leader Angela Rayner said: “This Prime Minister has, in his own adviser’s words, made a mockery of the Ministerial Code. He has now followed both his predecessor and the anti-corruption tsar out of the door in disgust.
“There are now no ethics left in this Downing Street regime propped up in office by a Conservative Party mired in sleaze and totally unable to tackle the cost-of-living crisis facing the British people.
“The Government must not only appoint a new watchdog but back Labour’s plan to restore standards. This Prime Minister has debased standards and rigged the rules for far too long. It is time for the Conservatives to do the right thing and remove him from office.”
Johnson considering not replacing ethics adviser
Boris Johnson is considering whether to replace Lord Geidt as ministerial interests adviser as he reviews the role, Downing Street says.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the function of the role was vitally important.
But asked whether a new adviser was being sought, the spokesman noted a number of issues raised by Lord Geidt and said the Prime Minister wanted to “carefully consider those and reflect on them before taking a decision on how best to fulfil that commitment about ensuring rigorous oversight and scrutiny of ministerial interests”.
Pressed on whether Lord Geidt would necessarily be replaced, the spokesman said: “We haven’t made a final decision on how best to carry out that function, whether it relates to a specific individual or not.
“He will carefully consider that before setting out the next steps.”
He suggested there was no plan to wait for a new adviser to be in place to go ahead with the controversial plan Lord Geidt quit over, saying: “I don’t believe that’s the intention.”
Confusion over why PM consulted Lord Geidt
The situation surrounding Lord Geidt’s decision to stand down is distinctly unclear.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was unable to say exactly why Boris Johnson consulted his ethics adviser over the issue – thought to be a proposal to retain steel tariffs – but he said it was a “relatively unusual situation”.
Asked whether that meant there was something beyond the commitments to the World Trade Organisation, the spokesman said: “No, that’s what I was referring to.”
Issue was key industry, admits No 10
Downing Street said Boris Johnson’s request to Lord Geidt centred on a “critical national industry” that is at risk of “material harm” without action.
Asked whether the request centred on Chinese steel tariffs, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I can’t get into that”, having cited “commercial sensitivity”.
“No decisions have been taken with regards to this specific issue at this point,” the spokesman said.
“The fully independent Trade Remedies Authority has provided advice to ministers which found that a critical national industry – and obviously I can’t be more specific – is at risk of material harm if the Government does not take action, affecting businesses and livelihoods.
“So it’s of course right the Prime Minister would consider how best to address that issue.”
Last year, the authority recommended removing some tariffs on Chinese steel – but was overruled by the government, after protests by the steel industry.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the decision was not yet determined but would be “relatively shortly”.
Downing Street indicated more details on the scheme that provoked Lord Geidt’s resignation would be disclosed after the commercially sensitive matter is ruled on.
Ministers pondering key issue for jobs and economy, says Gove
Communities secretary Michael Gove says he is sorry Lord Geidt has quit, but that the issue was an “incredibly important one” for the economy.
“I am a huge admirer of Lord Geidt. He is a very distinguished public servant,” Mr Gove said.
“I know that the decision that the Government are contemplating is an incredibly important one which has jobs and the economic future of parts of this country at its heart.
“The economic decision is a critically important one. I’m sorry Lord Geidt felt he had to go.
“Lord Geidt in all the roles that he has had has always been a very dedicated public servant. I am grateful for his service.
“The point on which he felt he had to go was related to a quite complicated and commercially sensitive economic matter where I think the Government is absolutely right but I can’t say more about it for the moment.”
‘Donald Trump trade war started it’
The tariffs were extended for a year – until the end of this month, according to one expert.
Sam Lowe says the tariffs can be traced back to Donald Trump’s trade war:
What is the matter at stake?
Lord Geidt dances around the issue at the centre of his resignation in his letter, only describing it in vague terms.
In his reply, Mr Johnson hints it concerns steel tariffs, being connected with the new post-Brexit trade remedies authority and the need to protect a crucial industry from damage.
The move would potentially breach “obligations” with the World Trade Organisation, the reply acknowledges.
More in Rob Merrick’s piece here:
