Labour embroiled in new cronyism row over appointment of over 200 civil servants bypassing usual hiring process since election.H
Accusations of cronyism were levelled at the Labour Party after it emerged that more than 200 individuals have been given civil service jobs since the election without an open appointment process.
Official figures show that the Government has circumvented normal rules on advertising jobs to hire at least 228 staff since July.
But the true figure could be even higher because only nine departments have so far provided details to Parliament of how many times they have used the so-called ‘exception’ process.
It has raised fresh claims that Labour is politicising the civil service after those with links to the party were handed roles in Whitehall.
Keir Starmer’s Labour party faces new allegations of cronyism over civil service appointments
Official figures show that the Government has circumvented normal rules on advertising jobs (Illustrative image shows a government department)
Shadow paymaster general John Glen, who obtained the figures in parliamentary written questions, said: ‘It would appear the Labour Party has spent their first 100 days stacking the civil service with Keir’s cronies.
‘This is corrosive to the integrity and independence of the civil service.
‘Some exceptions will no doubt be justified, but Labour has shut down parliamentary scrutiny, so they clearly have something to hide.’
But a Labour source claimed: ‘There were 24,000 appointments without competition in two years under the last Conservative government, which puts these figures’ into perspective.’
So where is the ethics watchdog
Labour has still not launched its promised ethics watchdog for Government, prompting more claims of broken promises.
The party’s manifesto pledged to create the independent Ethics and Integrity Commission as part of its plans for ‘restoring public service in Westminster’ after the ‘sleaze and scandal’ of the Conservative government.
But more than three months after the election – and with the party mired in croynism and freebies scandals – it has not been launched nor has the Government provided any details of who will run it.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said yesterday: ‘It’s an important area of work which needs to be got right. That work is ongoing and we will provide updates in due course.’
Shadow paymaster general John Glen said: ‘Labour made a big song and dance about this commission. It’s yet another broken promise.’
