Forty potential breaches of the ministerial code over the past five years were never investigated, including those involving donations from property developers.
An analysis of the data by Transparency International has said potential breaches, including Michael Gove’s acceptance of £120,000 in donations from property developers while serving as housing secretary, should have been taken further.
Last year, Gove received £100,000 from Zachariasz Gertler, managing director of developer Gertler Estates. He also received £20,000 from Alan Massie, a Scottish businessman who owns developer Carlton Rock. Their contributions accounted for 87% of donations made to Gove in 2021, while he was secretary of state.
The prime minister has launched a hunt for a new adviser on ministerial interests but several candidates have turned down the role. Sunak is not offering candidates any enhanced powers, which means advisers would not be able to launch their own investigations.
