Tories demand investigation into civil service appointments by Labour

Ministers are facing allegations of compromising the impartiality of the civil service following the appointment of Jess Sargeant, a director from a Labour-supporting think tank, to a key role in the Cabinet Office. This appointment, made without an independent recruitment process, has sparked controversy as Sargeant becomes the third individual with close ties to the Labour Party to secure a senior civil service position since the party's recent electoral victory. Critics argue that these appointments reflect a pattern of cronyism within the new government, with Sargeant previously affiliated with Labour Together, a think tank established by allies of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Other notable appointments include Emily Middleton and Ian Corfield, both of whom have connections to the Labour Party. The Conservative Party has suggested that these hirings may be an attempt to bypass the influence of Sue Gray, Starmer's chief of staff, who has reportedly obstructed the appointment of political advisers. Alex Thomas, a former civil service director, noted that while such appointments are not entirely unprecedented, they highlight the frustrations ministers experience when they lack hiring authority despite being accountable to Parliament and the public. In response to these developments, Conservative MP John Glen has formally requested an investigation from the Civil Service Commission, citing concerns over the politicization of civil service roles and referencing the foundational Northcote-Trevelyan report, which warns against politically motivated appointments. Glen's letter emphasizes the need for adherence to established recruitment protocols, expressing fears that these instances may indicate a broader trend of politicization within the civil service under the current administration.