Ministerial code of behaviour By Dana Seetahal The first tenet of the code is that Government ministers are expected to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety. The code is to be read against the background of the overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law, to uphold the administration of justice and to uphold the ideal of integrity in public life. There are seven principles of public life annexed to the code: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. So, for example, holders of public office are expected to act solely in terms of the public interest and not in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their relatives, or their friends (selflessness) and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office (accountability). If every minister were to follow these basic tenets then there would be no problem. No one would act in a manner which amounts to a conflict of interest. No one would behave in an undignified manner and no one would complain about press intrusion in respect of matters involving his office. People would resign when they step out of line. Since we are not living in a Utopia however it was felt necessary by the English to spell out certain specific behavioural do’s and don’ts expected of a minister. Furthermore, while ministers are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves and for justifying their actions and conduct they only remain in office ==> only so long as they retain the confidence of the prime minister As the code reaffirms, the PM is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviour expected of a minister and the appropriate consequences of a breach of those standards.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 10:16:58 +0000
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