Letter from ACOBA to the Cabinet Office regarding breach of the Rules (Amathus Strategy Limited/E-PPL Group)
Published 2 April 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jones-marcus-treasurer-of-his-majestys-household-deputy-chief-whip/letter-from-acoba-to-the-cabinet-office-regarding-breach-of-the-rules-amathus-strategy-limitede-ppl-group
The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
31 March 2025
Dear The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP,
I write in my capacity as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) regarding a failure to follow the government’s Business Appointment Rules (the Rules) by Sir Marcus Jones. Please find the relevant correspondence enclosed.
The Committee is independent, with a remit to consider applications received under the Rules, consider the risks and advise on the conditions that should apply.
The Business Appointment Rules (the Rules) are set by the government, with the policy owned by the Cabinet Office. The requirement for former ministers to seek and abide by ACOBA’s advice is set out clearly in the Ministerial Code, including specifically that: ‘…former Ministers must ensure that no new appointments are announced, or taken up, before the Committee has been able to provide its advice.’
Sir Marcus accepted that he announced his role prior to receiving advice from ACOBA and has acknowledged that former ministers should abide by the Rules. Failure to do so was a breach of the government’s Rules.
The purpose of the Rules is to protect the integrity of government by considering the real and perceived risks associated with former ministers joining outside organisations. This has not been possible here. Failure to await advice in this case is an unambiguous breach of the Rules. The government owns both the Rules and their enforcement. It is now a matter for government to decide what the appropriate action to take.
In line with the Committee’s policy of transparency, correspondence on this matter will be published on our website.
The Rt. Hon Lord Pickles
Copied to:
The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office; Darren Tierney, Director General, Propriety and Ethics, Cabinet Office;
Sir Marcus Jones.
Enclosure:
- ACOBA’s final letter to Sir Marcus Jones, with prior correspondence annexed