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LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour
Party on Saturday called for an independent commission on ethics
and standards in government after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's
former top adviser criticised the UK leader's integrity.
On Friday Dominic Cummings, who left Johnson's staff
suddenly late last year having previously been his most
influential adviser over Brexit and the 2019 election campaign,
denied reports he leaked Johnson's private communications over
the sourcing of COVID-19 ventilators.
Cummings also said he was not responsible for leaks over the
cost of refurbishing Johnson's residence and that the prime
minister and his office had fallen below acceptable standards of
competence and integrity.
Johnson's office in response on Friday said the government
had followed the rules over the refurbishment. The prime
minister had never interfered in a government leak inquiry, his
office added.
"We need some kind of independent commission into ethics and
standards in government, we can't let the prime minister mark
his own homework on this," Steve Reed, Labour's spokesman on
communities and local government, told BBC radio.
"This was the closest ally the prime minister's got and he's
telling us the prime minister's behaviour was unethical, foolish
and possibly illegal," he said.
Labour has also written to Johnson calling for a full
investigation into the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.
“The Ministerial Code clearly states ‘Ministers should be as
open as possible with Parliament and the public’. This has not
happened," wrote Labour's Rachel Reeves.
“Many people will wonder what personal goodwill could be
generated by a secret donation to the redecoration of your
living quarters."
Johnson's office had no additional comment on Saturday.
(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Toby Chopra)