Ministers who break code in ‘minor’ way can now keep their jobs, Downing Street says

MINISTERS who break standards rules in a “minor” way will no longer have to quit.

Any breach of the strict Ministerial Code usually ends careers, but Downing Street last night published a new “watered-down” rulebook.

PA

Downing Street says ministers no longer have to resign for minor rule breaks[/caption]

New punishments can be a “public apology, remedial action, or removal of ministerial salary for a period”.

Ministers who knowingly lie to the Commons will still be expected to quit.

Critics accused the PM — on a visit yesterday to the CityFibre Training Academy in Stockton-on-Tees — of trying to soften accountability.

But No 10 argued the change was recommended by the anti-sleaze watchdog.

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