Boris Johnson's Ethics Adviser Quits Amid Criticism Over Partygate and Steel Tariffs

Boris Johnson's ethics adviser, Christopher Geidt, has released a statement clarifying the reasons for his resignation, revealing that the Prime Minister's handling of partygate and UK government plans to extend tariffs on steel imports had contributed to his decision to leave. In a letter to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Chair, Geidt emphasized that the steel tariffs question was only one example of what might constitute deliberate breaches of international law, and not the sole reason for his resignation. This development comes as Johnson is considering scrapping the role of ethics adviser altogether, following Geidt's resignation.

Key Takeaways:

• Christopher Geidt, Boris Johnson's ethics adviser, resigned over concerns about the Prime Minister's handling of partygate and UK government plans to extend tariffs on steel imports.
• Geidt's resignation statement was initially interpreted to suggest that the steel tariffs question was the sole reason for his departure, but he has now clarified that it was only one example of what might constitute deliberate breaches of international law.
• Geidt emphasized that the steel tariffs question was a distraction, and that his main objection was to being asked to give cover for potential law-breaking by the Prime Minister.
• The Prime Minister's handling of partygate and UK government plans to extend tariffs on steel imports had contributed to Geidt's decision to leave the role.
• Geidt was conscious of his obligations under the Seven Principles of Public Life, including integrity, and could not be a party to advising on any potential law-breaking.
• Since Geidt's resignation, Downing Street has suggested that Johnson is considering scrapping the role of ethics adviser altogether.
• It took the Tory government five months to find a replacement for Johnson's previous ethics adviser, Alex Allan, who quit after his findings that Priti Patel had bullied staff were rejected by the Prime Minister.

Statistics:

• 5 months: the time it took the Tory government to find a replacement for Johnson's previous ethics adviser, Alex Allan.
• 1: the number of examples of deliberate breaches of international law mentioned by Geidt, with steel tariffs being one of them.
• 7: the number of Principles of Public Life, including integrity, to which Geidt adhered as a public servant.

Sources:

• A letter from Christopher Geidt to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Chair William Wragg
• A BBC broadcast featuring Lord Butler, discussing the implications of Geidt's resignation
• A report from Downing Street regarding the Prime Minister's consideration of scrapping the ethics adviser role altogether
• A report from the Tory government's five-month search for a replacement for Alex Allan as ethics adviser