Rishi Sunak changes rules so ministers can use their chauffeur-driven limos more - The Mirror

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been criticised for for helping his Cabinet ministers get rides home, while failing to end the train strikes that are causing misery for millions

Rishi Sunak has changed the rules so his ministers can use their chauffeur-driven limos more.

The PM was blasted by his critics for helping his Cabinet get rides home, while failing to end the train strikes.

The ministerial code has been amended to allow frontbenchers to make journeys to their constituencies in their government cars.

The rules previously stated that ministers were "permitted to use an official car for official business and for home to office journeys within a reasonable distance of London on the understanding they are using the time to work".

But in a new version of the code published today the words "within a reasonable distance of London" were removed.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “While Rishi Sunak subjects the public to travel chaos by failing to resolve train strikes, he’s busy changing the rules to sort out car rides home for his own ministers.

"The Tories are once again putting themselves before the public.“

Mr Sunak published the new rulebook for members of his Cabinet today as he finally appointed a new ethics adviser.

Sir Laurie Magnus will be responsible for overseeing whether frontbenchers stick to the rules.

The chair of Historic England will take up the role as Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests for a five-year term.

His appointment comes after Lord Geidt quit the post in June following a disagreement with Mr Johnson.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life had called for the new adviser to be given extra powers so he could decide himself whether to investigate ministers, rather than having to rely on being given permission by the PM. But the Prime Minister has refused.

Mr Sunak’s first months as PM has been dominated by scandals involving his ministers.

Gavin Williamson resigned from Cabinet after just two weeks after he faced bullying claims.

Deputy PM Dominic Raab is currently being investigated after eight formal complaints were made about his behaviour towards staff.

And Mr Sunak has been criticised for appointing Suella Braverman as Home Secretary just six days after she was sacked from the job for leaking.

The minister, nicknamed “Leaky Sue” now faces questions over her shambolic handling of the immigration situation, as record numbers of people make dangerous Channel crossings.

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