Tories cry cronyism as minister's partner is tipped for quango job
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.Tony Blair is facing a fresh 'cronyism' row over the choice of the new head of the public-spending watchdog, the Audit Commission.
James Strachan, partner of the Culture Minister, Baroness Blackstone, is being lined up by the government as the new chairman of the influential body. He is being tipped as a frontrunner to take on the powerful post after he steps down as the Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf next month.
The Tories last night warned that the new head of the Audit Commission, which scrutinises public spending and has published a series of critical reports of PFI policy, should be completely independent of party politics. Earlier this year Lord Norman Warner's appointment was blocked by the Local Government Association as chairman because of his government links. Last night David Davis, the Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said it would be 'singularly inappropriate for the partner of a government minister to be in charge of an organisation whose be all and end all is impartiality.'
Mr Strachan, 48, is understood to be one of two names put forward by Ministers for the selection process. Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics, said it would be 'wrong if people who are talented in their own right cannot get public appointments because of their close personal relationships.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments