Liz Truss said tonight that she will not nominate a new ethics advisor to replace Boris Johnson in the role of prime minister.
As she addressed Conservative members in Birmingham, the Foreign Secretary, widely predicted to win, stressed that ‘you can’t outsource ethics to an advisor’.
Following the resignation of Lord Geidt in June, there’s no current Independent Adviser for Ministers’ Interests.
The Queen’s former aide criticized the Prime Minister for his “openness” to international law violations after he clashed with Johnson about Partygate.
Under Mr Johnson’s first term, he was second to quit as an ethics advisor.
Sir Alex Allan resigned in 2020 following the Prime Minister’s decision to overrule his conclusion that Priti Patel, Home Secretary, had bullied employees.
Before his resignation as PM Mr Johnson was contemplating replacing Lord Geidt.
Ms Truss, however, raised concern tonight at Tory’s latest hustings event that there might not be an independent adviser in Government for her next month.
According to her, a PM who doesn’t understand the difference between right or wrong would pose a fundamental problem.
There are other hustings happening tonight
- Ms Truss stated that she would provide extra assistance to people on fixed incomes during the cost of living crisis.
- The Foreign Secretary promised to divert the additional £12billion a year in health funding away from the NHS and into social care;
- She acknowledged there is ‘a serious problem’ with gun crime, knife crime and gangs in Britain;
- Ms Truss promised to let tenants use their good rental history to be homeowners.
- After the scandal about sewage being dumped onto beaches, she defended the cuts that were made by the Environment Agency.
- Sunak declined to answer whether Mr Sunak would vote in favour of Ms Truss’s tax cuts at the House of Commons, if she is elected PM.
- Ex-chancellor reaffirmed his assertion that millions will be in a bind if Ms Truss does not enter No10, and offers no direct assistance to struggling families;
- He stated that he was able to find a “negotiated solution” for the Brexit conflict over Northern Ireland.
Liz Truss insisted ‘you cannot outsource ethics to an adviser’ as she spoke to Conservative members in Birmingham tonight
Rishi Sunak was her leadership rival and promised to run ‘a government where things are taken seriously, and where they’re done competently.
Following the resignation of Lord Geidt in June, there’s no Independent Advisor on Ministers’ Interests.
Asking if she will appoint a ethics advisor, Foreign Secretary did not respond directly.
Ms Truss stated that she would have a Chief Whip in place if elected prime minister.
“I would send them back to Number 12 Downing Street. This will ensure that they have a central role in Government, and there is no tolerance for any misbehaviour.”
The Foreign Secretary was again asked whether she would appoint a ethics advisor. She replied that one of the issues in her country’s approach to things was the presence of many independent and adviser-type bodies as well as rules and regulations.
‘For me it’s about understanding the difference between right and wrong.
“I have always done right by my word, and I’ve always kept my word. I am a person who is honest, has been truthful about everything, and I keep my promises.
“That would be what I do as Prime Minister.” You can’t outsource ethics, I think.
Ms. Truss stated that she wasn’t saying that she would not appoint an ethics advisor.
Elle added, “What I’m saying is that the leadership itself, and the PM themselves must take responsibility.
“You can not outsource ethics and leave it to an adviser. We need ethics that runs through government.
“The culture and values of organizations start at the top. That’s why I care about them.
“And, of course,” he said, “I would also make sure the right apparatus is there so people can whistleblow when they encounter problems.”
“If a leader says they don’t understand the difference between right or wrong, they should outsource that to an ethic adviser. I believe this is a major problem.”
Ex-chancellor Rishi, Ms. Truss’s opponent for Tory leadership has repeatedly promised that he would appoint an ethics advisor if he becomes PM.
He said to tonight’s audience: ‘I would make certain they would be able to have the powers, responsibilities and to hold people accountable.
“Obviously, the leader sets it and I’d set an example.
Following the numerous scandals surrounding Johnson, Mr Sunak presented himself to be the Tories’ candidate to appeal to the swing votes.
He stated, “I will run a Government in which things are taken seriously and where they’re done competently.”
‘With decency and integrity at the heart of everything that we do. It’s that change that I intend to bring about, it’s that PM that I will be.
“And this is how we are going to win the next elections and restore standard.”
Before the NEC’s Birmingham hustings, Ms Truss met with Nadhim Zahawi (one of her allies),
During the Tory leadership race, Ms Truss was supported by Mr Zahawi.
Sunak met a few of his supporters when he arrived at the Hustings Venue tonight.
It is generally believed that the former-chancellor is trailing Ms Truss during the Tory leadership contest. However, he has acknowledged that he is still the “underdog”.
Tonight’s event was the tenth in a series of official hustings held by Tory members throughout the UK. It took place at Birmingham’s NEC.
The winner of the contest will be announced by the 5th September. Mr Johnson’s successor as PM will be named the next day.
Conservative Party members who had waited outside the venue for the hustings tonight were confronted by around 40 protestors chanting “Tory scum” and other slogans.
Some demonstrators were wearing placards branded Socialist Worker and had to be repelled behind bars by officers.
There were two slogans that they used: “Kick The Tories Out, Nurses and Nukes”, while another one was “Truss Neither of Them.”
This summer, protests were held against a variety of Tory hustings activities.