Starmer’s reforms to ministerial code do not go far enough, union head says

Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, said Starmer had gone further in the reforms than any previous prime minister but had stopped short of more comprehensive changes. Photograph: Getty Images

Keir Starmer’s reforms to the ministerial code do not go far enough towards an “truly independent” standards regime to hold top politicians to account, the head of the senior civil servants union has said.

Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, said Starmer had gone further than any previous prime minister in allowing the independent watchdog to initiate investigations into suspected misconduct by ministers, rather than requiring permission.