Rishi Sunak is facing an extended investigation of his financial affairs, it emerged on Monday.
It was reported last week that the prime minister was being investigated over whether he correctly declared shares his wife holds in a business that was boosted by the Budget.
Parliament's standards watchdog is investigating to see if Mr Sunak failed to be “open and frank” when declaring an interest.
The probe relates to a childcare firm the prime minister’s wife, Akshata Murty, has shares in. It will be up to the commissioner to decide whether an MP, or in this case Mr Sunak has broken rules after an inquiry.
"We are happy to assist the commissioner to clarify how this has been transparently declared as a ministerial interest,” said a Downing Street spokesperson.
But the investigation has now been extended.
Here’s everything you need to know about the probe and what sparked it.
Why is Rishi Sunak being investigated?
The investigation comes after Mr Sunak faced questions last month related to shares that his wife, Ms Murty, holds in childcare agency Koru Kids. The agency could stand to benefit from an upcoming policy unveiled in the spring Budget this year.
During a parliamentary committee hearing on March 28, Mr Sunak did not mention his wife's links to Koru Kids. This was despite being questioned by MPs over the childcare policy. This has led to concerns about how open Mr Sunak was about potential interest in the policy.
When Labour MP Catherine McKinnell asked Mr Sunak whether he had any interest to declare, he replied: "No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way."
However, in a letter to the committee, sent a few days later, Mr Sunak maintained that Ms Murty's interest was declared to the Cabinet Office. He also said that an updated statement of ministers' interests would be published soon, and that the list of ministerial interests "ensures steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential conflict of interest".
"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,” said Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner.
The Liberal Democrats agreed, saying that the probe was yet another example of a Conservative PM allegedly "bending the rules".
"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," Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said.
What is Rishi Sunak now being additionally investigated over?
The investigation into Mr Sunak has now been extended to cover section 13 of the code of conduct for MPs.
This states: “Members must not disclose details in relation to: (i) any investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards except when required by law to do so, or authorised by the Commissioner; nor (ii) the proceedings of the Committee on Standards or the Independent Expert Panel in relation to a complaint unless required by law to do so, or authorised by the Committee or the Panel respectively.”
What was the childcare policy Rishi Sunak introduced?
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled several payments available for new childminders during the spring Budget on March 15, with more reserved for those who sign up through agencies such as Koru Kids.
Mr Hunt announced that the Government would be “piloting incentive payments of £600 for childminders who sign up to the profession, rising to £1,200 for those who join through an agency”.
As such, the pilot could drive up the number of childminders entering the industry and therefore create more business for agencies such as Koru Kids.
What is Koru Kids?
Koru Kids is listed as one of six childminder agencies on the Government’s website. The agency welcomes the new policies, writing “the new incentives open to childminders are great” on its website.
The website also highlighted the bonus of £1,200 that’s available to new childminders if they “come through an agency like Koru Kids who offer community, training and ongoing support”.
Who is Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty?
Mr Sunak has been married to Ms Murty since August 2009. She was listed as a shareholder in Koru Kids, as recently as March 6.
This isn’t the first time that the prime minister has been involved in a scandal related to his wife’s interests. The couple have faced questions over her tax status.
When do MPs have to declare their interests?
The commissioner’s website states that Mr Sunak is being investigated under paragraph 6 of the MP’s code of conduct.
The paragraph in question reads: “Members must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees, and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials or public office holders.”
The rules around lobbying specifically were tightened up in a recently published version of the code of conduct in February. This followed the controversy over paid advocacy work undertaken by former MP Owen Paterson. If any MP is thought to be in breach of the code, the watchdog can present cases to the Committee on Standards. From there, sanctions may be handed out if necessary.
