Fox/Werrity affair develops further
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:54 amThis is now becoming quite interesting. A whole can of nasty worms is opening!
Liam Fox 'broke ministerial code' - official report
Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox broke the ministerial code in his dealings with his friend Adam Werritty, an official report is expected to say.
Mr Fox resigned on Friday after a week of allegations over his working relationship with Mr Werritty, a lobbyist and former flatmate.
The BBC understands a report by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell due out on Tuesday will find he broke the rules.
But it will conclude Mr Fox did not gain financially from the arrangement.
In resigning, the defence secretary said he had allowed his personal loyalties and professional responsibilities to become "blurred".
He had been criticised for his conduct in relation to Mr Werritty, who had claimed to be Mr Fox's adviser, joined him on 18 foreign trips and arranged meetings for him despite having no official government or Conservative Party role.
Questions have also been raised about how Mr Werritty funded his business activities and whether he had gained from his frequent access to the former defence secretary.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said Tuesday's report was expected to conclude that Mr Fox had breached the ministerial code of conduct, which requires ministers to avoid a conflict of interest or the perception of any conflict between their public duties and private interests.
Although it will say that Mr Fox made no financial gain from his dealings with Mr Werritty, our correspondent added that the tone of the report would suggest that Mr Fox had been right to step down.
Prime Minister David Cameron has seen the report, produced by the UK's most senior civil servant.
