PRESS RELEASE: Anti-Corruption Experts Renew Calls for Full Independence of Ethics Adviser
**For immediate release**
Friday 5 September 2025 — Following Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s resignation, the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition is calling for the role of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to be placed on statutory footing to safeguard future independence.
While the independent adviser’s swift and comprehensive investigation demonstrates the functioning of existing ethics oversight rules, today's events underscore the urgent need to place the Independent Adviser's role on a statutory footing to protect it from political interference.
Dr Sue Hawley, Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption and Co-Chair of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition, said:
“Today’s events demonstrate why independent oversight of ministerial standards is so important. But the current system is far too reliant on ministers, including the Prime Minister, choosing to heed advice. That is why it is vital that the Independent Adviser and other standards regulators are finally placed on a statutory footing to futureproof them from politicians down the line who might have less regard for following the rules.”
Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive, Transparency International UK said:
"We're still gambling with the 'good chaps' theory – hoping politicians will police themselves when caught breaking the rules. Today proves that sometimes this works, but it also exposes the fundamental flaw that our so-called 'Independent' Adviser answers directly to the Prime Minister who appointed them – undermining the integrity in government it’s designed to promote.
“Many other standards regulators have statutory protection. The Independent Adviser gets none. Until that changes, we're one difficult investigation away from the whole system being swept aside by whoever finds accountability inconvenient."
Notes to Editors
In 2021, the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended that ‘the government should pass primary legislation to place the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests… on a statutory basis.’
The UK Anti-Corruption Coalition brings together the UK’s leading anti-corruption policy experts.