Misconduct inquiries 'should be independent'

New cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull has indicated backing for independent investigations of ministerial misconduct in future.

Sir Andrew did not identify the precise reasons for his concern while giving his evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life on Friday.

But he appeared to be referring to the problems which arose during the initial investigations into the complaints against Peter Mandelson during the Hinduja passport affair.

The preliminary inquiries were conducted by the outgoing cabinet secretary, Sir Richard Wilson, and it was after his inquiries that Mr Mandelson offered his resignation to Tony Blair.

In his evidence to the committee, Sir Andrew said that he would find it 'uncomfortable' to be asked to investigate complaints that a minister might have breached the ministerial code.

Sir Andrew said he thought it better if the prime minister asked a third party to conduct such investigations.

His view was supported by Sir Haydn Phillips, permanent secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department, who suggested the creation of a group of people outside government who could be called on.

Asking a permament secretary to conduct investigations into his own minister would undermine confidence within the department and was unlikely to command public respect, he said.