More power needed to investigate government sleaze, MP says (From Essex County Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECS to 80360, or email »
More power needed to investigate government sleaze, Bernard Jenkin MP says
5:00pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Countywide news
A CALL by north Essex MP Bernard Jenkin to give more power to David Cameron’s ministerial sleaze watchdog has been unanimously backed by his colleagues.
The House of Commons supported a motion by the Harwich & North Essex MP calling for the watchdog overseeing ministers to be made more independent.
The Conservative backbencher believes the Prime Minister's Adviser on Ministerial Interests should have the power to launch his own investigations, rather than only doing so at the bidding of Mr Cameron.
The move follows Mr Cameron's refusal to ask Sir Alex Allan to investigate Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's handling of News Corporation's bid for BSkyB.
The Prime Minister has previously said he was unwilling to make the change, which has been recommended by the Public Administration Select Committee chaired by Mr Jenkin.
