The Council of Europe's Group of states against corruption (GRECO) has closed its latest compliance procedure concerning the United Kingdom, taking into account progress achieved in implementing GRECO recommendations on preventing corruption within top executive functions of the central government and law-enforcement agencies.
In a report published today, GRECO concludes that the United Kingdom has satisfactorily implemented eight of the 12 recommendations contained in GRECO's Fifth Round Evaluation Report, which was published in 2018. Three recommendations have been partly implemented, and one has not been implemented.
Ministerial Code transgressions easier to probe
In today's report, GRECO acknowledges considerable progress in implementing its recommendations to strengthen transparency and promote integrity among people with top executive functions in government. Notably, the terms of reference of the Ministerial Code have been revised to allow the Independent Adviser on ministers' interests to launch investigations into alleged breaches of the code.
GRECO notes that guidance has been updated on declarations of interests by public servants, and transparency guidance documents have also been revised in respect of ministers, senior officials and special advisers. Declarations of interests by public servants in relevant departments are also being published more frequently, although the focus of the disclosure system continues to focus primarily on conflicting interests, rather than a broader approach to assessing anti-corruption risks.
Significant improvements in police services' practices
As regards law-enforcement agencies, GRECO welcomes the commendable progress made in implementing all of its recommendations satisfactorily. In particular, the Policing Code of Ethics has been integrated into regular training and a dedicated code of ethics has been adopted by the National Crime Agency (NCA). A new, comprehensive disciplinary policy has also been introduced in the NCA, and a mechanism for the confidential reporting of misconduct has been made fully operational.
In addition, GRECO notes that the Metropolitan Police Service has improved vetting and overhauled its disciplinary procedures. The staff of the Directorate of professional standards has also been increased, and internal and external channels for reporting misconduct have been introduced. Another important development is the setting up of the Independent Office for police conduct, along with legal provisions to help protect the identity of whistleblowers. Finally, although post-employment restrictions have not been broadened to cover all police officers leaving their function, GRECO notes that this matter has been given due consideration.
GRECO invites the British authorities to keep it informed of any further developments concerning the full implementation of the outstanding recommendations.
In particular, GRECO looks forward to the follow-up to the 2024 post-legislative scrutiny of the Lobbying Act, which outlined several measures already addressed in GRECO's recommendations to further enhance transparency in this area. The introduction of disclosure by special advisers of their contacts with lobbyists and third parties would be another important development, which has yet to materialise.
Finally, GRECO encourages the authorities to proceed with revising the status, remit and powers of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, and to introduce concrete, enforceable sanctions for breaches of post-employment restrictions.
