NSPCC chair to be sleaze watchdog

Sir Christopher is a former senior civil servant

The NSPCC chairman Sir Christopher Kelly has been appointed standards watchdog by Gordon Brown - seven months after the post became vacant.

Sir Christopher, previously the top civil servant at the Department of Health, becomes chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public life.

The announcement in the Commons came shortly after David Cameron criticised the PM for delaying an appointment.

Former committee chairman Sir Alistair Graham's term ended earlier this year.

The appointment of Sir Christopher comes after revelations that Labour was given £663,975 by property developer David Abrahams via four associates.

Downing Street said that, following a recommendation from the public administration select committee, Sir Christopher would do the job for a maximum of five years.

In a statement issued after the announcement, Mr Brown said: "Chris Kelly will bring to the role his significant experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors across a wide range of areas."

'So long'

At prime minister's questions, Mr Cameron told the prime minister: "You said in May that one of your first acts as prime minister would be to build the trust of the British people in our democracy.

"For the last seven months the Committee on Standards in Public Life has been without a new chairman.

"Why has it taken so long to make that appointment?"

To Labour laughter, Mr Brown replied: "The new chairman is being announced today.

"I would have thought, in addition to the personalities of this, you'd be interested in the process.

"Do you support the changes we're recommending in electoral law and political party funding? Will you support a national and local limit on expenditure?"

'Ignorance'

Mr Brown criticised the Conservatives for leaving cross-party talks on political funding, adding: "What the right honourable gentleman has got to answer is, if he wants changes in the political system, why he spurned our proposals."

But Mr Cameron reiterated his party's position, which is that donations by trade unions to Labour must be included in any reforms.

He also said: "Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman, said the last fortnight had demonstrated 'monumental incompetence and an ignorance of the law which beggars belief'."

Mr Brown has promised to return the money given to Labour by Mr Abrahams.

However, Electoral Commission sources now say it is likely to be forfeited by Mr Abrahams and paid into government reserves.

Under electoral law donations have to be given back to the donor within 30 days - after which the money is paid into the Treasury's Consolidated Fund.