The Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life was established, under the chairmanship of the Rt Hon The Lord Nolan, by the then Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Major, in October 1994, with the following terms of reference:
“To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life.”
The term “holders of public office” includes: Ministers, civil servants and advisers; Members of Parliament and UK Members of the European Parliament; members and senior officers of all NDPBs and of NHS bodies; non-Ministerial office-holders; members and other senior officers of other bodies discharging publicly-funded functions; and elected members and senior officers of local authorities.
On 12 November 1997, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP announced additional terms of reference:
“To review issues in relation to the funding of political parties, and to make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements.”
The Committee is an independent advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). The Prime Minister appoints its members for renewable periods of up to three years.
The remit of the Committee excludes investigation of individual allegations of misconduct.
Membership of the Committee as at 1 January, 2005: Sir Alistair Graham (Chairman), Lloyd Clarke QPM, Rita Donaghy OBE, Professor Hazel Genn CBE, Dame Patricia Hodgson DBE, The Rt Hon Baroness Jay of Paddington, Baroness Maddock, The Rt Hon Cillian Shephard DL MP Dr Elizabeth Valiance, Dr Brian Woods-Scawen DL.
The main reports can be accessed through the Committee website Further information about the Committee is also available from this website.

Tel: 020 7276 2595 Fax: 020 7276 2585 Email: standards.evidence@gtnet.gov.uk

The Seven Principles of Public Life:

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

Integrity

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Homepage