Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nolan may investigate watchdogs

Patricia Wynn Davies Political Correspondent
Saturday 30 December 1995 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Privatised industry regulators may be the next target for the Committee on Standards in Public Life, its chairman Lord Nolan said yesterday.

The committee will consider whether to mount the investigation after it has concluded its current inquiry into local public spending bodies. "We very well may. I wouldn't like to go further at the moment," Lord Nolan said.

He added that the regulators would be within the terms of reference of his committee.

Calls for an investigation came in the wake of the row over Peter Davis, the National Lottery regulator, who was attacked for accepting free flights from a major backer of the lottery operator Camelot against advice from the Department of National Heritage.

Interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Nolan said: "The suggestion has been made over the current case that it would be sensible to see in more detail what regulates the regulators and to whom they are accountable.

"I've no doubt we will be considering whether we should at look the subject."

A source close to the committee confirmed it would stick to its convention of not revisiting individual cases, but there were issues for examination.

These would be likely to include the degree of accountability between the watchdogs and the Government, and the kinds of action available when a regulator strayed beyond the bounds of proper conduct.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in