27
Rejected
Amend Ministerial Code to require Prime Minister to issue statements on standards breaches.
Recommendation
We recommend that an addition be made to Chapter 2 of the Ministerial Code to commit the Prime Minister to issuing a written statement upon reaching a final decision where he has determined a breach of the expected standards has occurred. This written statement should set out the basis for the decision and the action he is taking as a result. (Recommendation, Paragraph 81)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating the Ministerial Code is a matter for the Prime Minister, not Parliament, and existing mechanisms like PMQs provide sufficient scrutiny for ministerial conduct decisions.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
18. The Government disagrees with this recommendation. As set out above, the Ministerial Code sets out the Prime Minister’s expectations of all who serve in government. The contents of the Code is a matter for the Prime Minister, rather than Parliament - and successive governments have taken that approach. 19. The Prime Minister is already regularly held to account by Parliament for their decisions. There are established and robust mechanisms for the House to scrutinise such matters, most notably through Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) and appearances before the Liaison Committee. These forums provide ample opportunity for Members of Parliament to question the Prime Minister on their determinations regarding ministerial conduct and the rationale behind any sanctions.
Source
Report
4th Report - Ministerial Statements and the Ministerial Code
09 Jan 2026
HC 1036
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.6 yr
Report published
09 Jan 2026