'Abuse of power': Boris Johnson forced to drop plan to use civil service resources in attack on Labour

'It's an abuse of power.' says Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell

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Boris Johnson has been forced to drop his plans to use official Treasury costings of Labour's key policies after an unprecedented intervention by the cabinet secretary.

It comes as shadow chancellor John McDonnell contacted civil service chiefs on Tuesday morning to denounce attempts to use Whitehall resources hours ahead of the official election period as an "abuse of power".

Government ministers had requested calculations to be drawn up on Labour's key spending commitments by civil servants based at the Treasury – provoking outrage for Jeremy Corbyn's top team.

But a Labour source told The Independent the department claimed it will now not publish the analysis, adding: "It's a slap in the face for Tory ministers who blatantly attempted to use the civil service for political ends in an unprecedented way."

As the government prepares to enter what is known as the "purdah" period of the general election campaign, civil servants must not undertake any activity that could call into question their impartiality.

Speaking to The Independent on Tuesday, Mr McDonnell also described the Conservatives' attempt to use official resources for party political reasons as "scandalous".

"It's an abuse of power," he added. "I've spoken with the civil service this morning. We weren't sure it was happening, but we got confirmation from the permanent secretary."

He continued: "The Treasury civil servant phoned me up this morning to confirm that that was happening today. What he said is they've looked at a range of our policy statements.

"I said first of all, one you do not know what is in the manifesto so that is pure speculation. Secondly, this being done within hours of the formal campaign being undertaken. Thirdly, I think it's an abuse of power.

"I suggested he goes back to the Cabinet Office and advises them it is completely contrary to everything we expect from the civil service in this country. I'm happy for anyone to examine our policies, but to do this hours before a general election campaign is I think an abuse of power. Unacceptable."

The shadow chancellor added that publication of costings of Labour's policies would undermine "people's confidence in the independence of the civil service".

"It's a serious matter," he added. " I don't know any other government in the past that has ever done this literally within hours of a general election campaign.

"I think it's absolutely scandalous, I really do. For me it demonstrates yet again that Boris Johnson thinks no rules apply to him. It's interesting they can this afternoon supply reports from the Treasury costing supposed policies of ours... and yet they are refusing to publish the report from the intelligence committee. That says something about their values in government."

No 10 did not respond when contacted by The Independent.