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18/10/2011
Fox 'Broke Ministerial Code' Report Will Say
A Government report is expected to find that former Defence Secretary Liam Fox broke the Ministerial Code in his dealings with his friend Adam Werritty,
However, the report, being compiled by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, is also expected to claim Mr Fox did not gain financially from the arrangements or his controversial dealings and trips that emerged last week and led to his resignation.
Mr Fox resigned on Friday after a week of frequent allegations emerged in connection with his working relationship with Mr Werritty, a lobbyist and former flatmate, and Dr Fox's foreign trips and association with right-wing lobby group Atlantic Bridge.
On Monday night, Jim Murphy, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, said there were predictions that Downing Street may not publish the Cabinet Secretary's inquiry in full, saying Labour was demanding an independent external inquiry.
"David Cameron must provide full transparency over all of Liam Fox and Adam Werritty’s activities. We need to know the full extent of Dr Fox's use of Adam Werrity as an 'unofficial advisor', how Mr Werritty was funded and all his links and meetings with Government.
"Unless this report examines what all Ministers knew and when, including the Prime Minister; the activities of Atlantic Bridge and all Mr Werritty's organisations; all overseas visits Mr Werritty was part of; and the legality of donations Dr Fox was part of soliciting, it will be deemed inadequate."
After resigning on Friday, the former Defence Secretary said he had allowed his personal loyalties and professional responsibilities to become "blurred".
He had been criticised for his conduct in relation to Mr Werritty, who had claimed to be Mr Fox's adviser, joined him on 18 foreign trips and arranged meetings for him despite having no official government or Conservative Party role.
Guardian columnist George Monbiot claimed on Tuesday morning, that Mr Werritty had avoided taking an official status to remain immune to freedom of information requests.
(DW/BMcC)
However, the report, being compiled by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, is also expected to claim Mr Fox did not gain financially from the arrangements or his controversial dealings and trips that emerged last week and led to his resignation.
Mr Fox resigned on Friday after a week of frequent allegations emerged in connection with his working relationship with Mr Werritty, a lobbyist and former flatmate, and Dr Fox's foreign trips and association with right-wing lobby group Atlantic Bridge.
On Monday night, Jim Murphy, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, said there were predictions that Downing Street may not publish the Cabinet Secretary's inquiry in full, saying Labour was demanding an independent external inquiry.
"David Cameron must provide full transparency over all of Liam Fox and Adam Werritty’s activities. We need to know the full extent of Dr Fox's use of Adam Werrity as an 'unofficial advisor', how Mr Werritty was funded and all his links and meetings with Government.
"Unless this report examines what all Ministers knew and when, including the Prime Minister; the activities of Atlantic Bridge and all Mr Werritty's organisations; all overseas visits Mr Werritty was part of; and the legality of donations Dr Fox was part of soliciting, it will be deemed inadequate."
After resigning on Friday, the former Defence Secretary said he had allowed his personal loyalties and professional responsibilities to become "blurred".
He had been criticised for his conduct in relation to Mr Werritty, who had claimed to be Mr Fox's adviser, joined him on 18 foreign trips and arranged meetings for him despite having no official government or Conservative Party role.
Guardian columnist George Monbiot claimed on Tuesday morning, that Mr Werritty had avoided taking an official status to remain immune to freedom of information requests.
(DW/BMcC)
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A number of new appointments to the Cabinet have been announced following the resignation of Dr Liam Fox last week. Philip Hammond, who was Secretary of State for Transport will now replace Dr Fox as Secretary of State for Defence. The Essex born Mr Hammond was elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and has held a number of shadow port folios.
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