17 April 2023 , 11:45
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Rishi Sunak is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog after he failed to tell MPs his wife owned shares in a childcare firm boosted by the Budget.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, is probing whether the PM broke the MPs' code of conduct in a fresh blow to his leadership.
Mr Greenberg's investigation, which was launched on Thursday last week and confirmed today, centres around shares Akshata Murthy holds in agency Koru Kids.
The company said on its website that the new incentives open to childminders - announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month - are "great”.
The Mirror previously reported that Mr Sunak failed to mention Ms Murthy's links to the company when he was questioned by MPs over why the private firms were set to benefit the most.
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Downing Street has claimed rules were followed "to the letter", but critics said there are "serious questions" over benefits his family could get from Government actions.
It is understood the probe relates to shares owned by the PM's wife Akshata Murthy (Getty Images)Commons rules say even if they have formally registered interests, MPs must “draw attention” to them in a situation where “someone else might consider them to influence what you say or do”.
Mr Sunak made no reference to Ms Murthy's shares when appearing in front of the Liaison Committee on March 28.
After news of the investigation broke, bookmaker Coral slashed the odds on Mr Sunak being replaced this year to 8-1, having previously been 10-1.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "This Government's failure to update the rules or publish a register of ministers' interests in nearly a year has left a transparency black hole which is enabling the Prime Minister and those he has appointed to dodge proper scrutiny of their affairs.
"If Rishi Sunak has got nothing to hide, he should commit to publishing the register before May's elections so the public can see for themselves.
And Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said: "Another day and another accusation of a Conservative Prime Minister bending the rules."
She added: "After months of Conservative sleaze and scandal, the public just want a government which is focused on the country, rather than saving their own skin."
Mr Sunak was quizzed by members of the Liaison Committee on March 28 (PRU/AFP via Getty Images)Ms Murthy has been listed as a shareholder in Koru Kids on Companies House.
A fortnight before Mr Sunak addressed the committee, Mr Hunt announced a pilot of incentive payments of £600 for childminders joining the profession.
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Questioning why the sum doubles to £1,200 if workers sign up through an agency, Labour MP Catherine McKinnell asked if Mr Sunak had any interests to declare.
"No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way," Mr Sunak said.
An update to the parliamentary website shows the investigation concerns paragraph six of the MPs' code of conduct, which requires members to be "open and frank" in addressing committees.
A No 10 spokeswoman responded: "We are happy to assist the commissioner to clarify how this has been transparently declared as a ministerial interest."
Mr Sunak’s spokeswoman previously said the rules had been followed “to the letter”.
She said he had declared any relevant interests, but that an updated version of the ministerial register was not due to be published until May.
“As the PM said yesterday, all interests have been declared in the usual way,” she added.
It is a headache Mr Sunak could do without, having pledged a Government of "integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level" when he took office in October.
Since then he was forced to pay a fixed penalty notice after recording a video in a moving car without a seatbelt.
The Commissioner has a full inbox at the moment.
Last week it emerged that an investigation had been launched into former Health Secretary Matt Hancock over alleged lobbying - which he denies.
Tory MP Scott Benton is also under investigation over his use of his parliamentary email address while Tory MP Henry Smith is being investigated for his use of stationery.
A spokesman for Mr Hancock said the investigation by standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg was a "misunderstanding".
"Mr Hancock is shocked and surprised by the investigation," the spokesman said.