Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion: terms of reference
Published 31 December 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
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/prime-ministers-anti-corruption-champion-terms-of-reference-and-letter-of-appointment/2155a516-9e74-4491-9ce3-4daf0e9dd1de
Key objectives
Scrutinise and challenge the performance of departments and agencies to counter corruption, work with government departments to drive the development and delivery of the UK’s Anti-Corruption Strategy, engaging with the legislative and policy making process as appropriate.
Support the UK’s push to strengthen the international response to corruption and illicit finance, to the extent that it is covered in the Strategy, helping to promote UK priorities with international partners at relevant international fora, as appropriate.
Engage on anti-corruption and illicit finance, to the extent it is covered in the Strategy, with external stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organisations, parliamentarians, and foreign delegations as appropriate, making sure that their concerns are taken into consideration in the development of relevant government policy.
Accountability
The appointment is a direct appointment by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the Home Secretary, Chancellor and Foreign Secretary.
The Champion will formally update the Prime Minister on their activities on an annual basis and provide updates to the Minister for Security, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories in line with the demands of their work.
The Champion will be required to demonstrate a firm commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life, adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and to any relevant codes of conduct which they also fall under (e.g. The Code of Conduct and Guide to the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords).
Policy making and decision marking
Policy and spending decisions will remain the responsibility of relevant ministers. Any announcements on policy by the Champion will require prior clearance by a Minister or senior official.
Transparency and security
All of the Champion’s engagement outside of the public sector in relation to the role – with external stakeholders or the media – will be subject to transparency returns, as will all relevant expenses in the execution of the role. The Joint Anti-Corruption Unit (JACU) will compile and complete transparency returns.
All correspondence, written or electronic, and details of meetings that are relevant to the role of the Champion (whether it is sent to a personal or Parliamentary device) must be provided to the Home Office for its transparency return.
Correspondence (especially that of a sensitive nature) relating to the role of the Champion should be conducted on Home Office or similarly secure networks.
Engagements
Meetings whilst performing the duties as Champion with stakeholders external to government and with the press should be cleared via JACU in the Home Office, FCDO where relevant to UK international objectives or interests, and HMT, where relevant to illicit finance, including money laundering, before taking place. The same applies for media appearances in the capacity of Champion.
As much as is reasonably possible, a representative from JACU, and where relevant the FCDO or HMT, should attend all official meetings the Champion has in their role, especially with stakeholders external to government and the public sector.
Support and ways of working
JACU will provide private office support in relation to the role, in terms of setting up meetings, managing the Champion’s time and engagements, plus broader administrative tasks.
JACU will organise, produce and deliver briefing and supporting documents for the Champion in the execution of their role. Where possible, they will take minutes and log actions from meetings.
The Champion will meet with relevant officials from JACU, FCDO and HMT as appropriate to monitor the relationship and ensure all are up to date with current activity.
The Champion alongside the JACU will arrange meetings and/or calls with Ministers on developments in the Champion’s work.
Terms
The position will begin on Monday 9 December 2024 and last until the end of the current Parliament.
The position will not be paid and will be completed voluntarily. However, reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed by the departments on a case-by-case basis.