The Cabinet Office spent over 30,000 trying to prevent the publication of a financial interests questionnaire used by ministers after the sacking of Nadhim Zahawi. Zahawi failed to disclose an ongoing tax investigation when appointed chancellor despite prompts in the declaration form. Rishi Sunak's administration claimed confidentiality was vital, but the Information Commissioner's Office ruled for public disclosure. Following an appeal by the Cabinet Office, the Information Rights Tribunal upheld the ICO's decision, resulting in significant taxpayer costs. Transparency advocates emphasize accountability by publishing ministers' interests.
The Cabinet Office spent more than 30,000 trying to block the publication of a questionnaire used by ministers to declare their financial interests.
The Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests said Zahawi had failed to declare that he was the subject of an ongoing investigation into his taxes when he was appointed chancellor in July 2022.
The government's decision to pursue the case against its information watchdog cost the taxpayer a total of 32,251 in legal costs.
Rose Whiffen, senior research officer with Transparency International UK, said: 'The publication of ministers' interests is a key accountability tool, allowing the public to identify how policy decisions may be influenced by private interests.'
Collection
[
|
...
]