Correspondence from ACOBA to Dominic Cummings
Updated 7 September 2022
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Dear Mr Cummings
I am writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (the Committee). It was reported in a recent press article that you are offering various services for payment via a blog hosted on Substack, the blog for which you are also receiving subscription payments.
Whilst we are aware of an application you have made to the Cabinet Office for advice in relation to consultancy services, it is not clear if this is the same service you are promoting on this blog, or if this is a separate set of services. The Committee does not appear to have received or advised you on an application in relation to the specifics of the business described on your blog here: https://dominiccummings.substack.com/p/systems-politics-systems-management.
The government’s Business Appointment Rules exist to protect the integrity of government; and make it clear that new appointments/employment should not be taken up or announced before receiving advice. It appears you may be in breach of these Rules. I am writing for clarification so the Committee can understand the circumstances behind your apparent failure to seek and await for advice before promoting and receiving payment for your services; and to provide you with an opportunity to tell us about any steps you have taken to ensure the probity in this work, given your previous role as Chief of Staff at No.10.
In line with the Committee’s policy of transparency, we will be publishing correspondence on this matter. If you wish your explanation to be published alongside this, please reply to this letter before Monday 5 July 2021. Any failure to respond will be included in our publication.