06.06.12
Warsi investigated over possible breach of ministerial code
Cabinet minister Lady Warsi, co-chair of the Conservative Party, has been referred to the adviser on ministers’ interests after failing to properly declare her business dealings.
She has apologised to the Prime Minister after admitting that she failed to inform civil servants that she and a relative, Abid Hussain, both owned stakes in a spice manufacturing firm when they visited Pakistanon government business.
Cameron has now referred her to Sir Alex Allan, his independent adviser on ministers' interests, who will consider whether Warsi has broken the ministerial code.
The peer is already facing a Lords’ inquiry and potentially a police inquiry into her expenses.
Warsi has said that her business relationship with Hussain, her husband’s second cousin, was “widely known”, including to her private office and the British High Commission.
She said in her letter to Cameron that she did not realise she should have declared their common business interest as minority shareholders in the food company.
She wrote: “I sincerely regret that I did not consider the significance of this relationship with Mr Hussain when the arrangements for the visit were being made. In retrospect, I accept that I should have made officials aware of the business relationship between Mr Hussain and myself, and for this I am sorry.
“I regret that this failure may have caused embarrassment to the government.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]