Ministers must follow toughened code to stamp out ‘inappropriate, bullying or harassing behaviour’ after scandals

Ministers face tougher rules to stamp out “inappropriate, bullying or harassing behaviour” after the scandals that led to three rapid-fire Cabinet dismissals.

Downing Street has published a beefed-up ministerial code, setting out the standards of behaviour expected of all government ministers.

The new wording outlawing unacceptable behaviour follows the allegations that forced out both Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Damian Green, Theresa May’s effective deputy.

Mark Garnier was also investigated under the old ministerial code – after asking his secretary to buy sex toys - and, although the trade minister was cleared just before Christmas, he was sacked in the New Year reshuffle.

The new code also states explicitly that “a private secretary or official should be present for all discussions relating to Government business”.

This was immediately dubbed the “Priti Patel clause”, after the International Development Secretary who was sacked over her secret meetings in Israel, including with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister.

The ministerial code of conduct was introduced by John Major in 1992 and has gone through several updates, often in response to scandals.

At the first meeting of her revamped Cabinet, the Prime Minister told her senior ministers to ensure that they and their juniors read the latest document, with its tougher wording.

Sir Michael was forced to quit after allegations of improper advances towards female journalists, conceding that some of his past behaviour had been inappropriate.

The scandal broke as allegations of harassment swirled around Westminster in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal in the US, which encouraged women to speak out.

Weeks later, Mr Green was forced out as First Secretary of State after lying over the pornography found on his office computer nearly a decade ago, an inquiry found

The new code reads: “Working relationships, including with civil servants, ministerial and parliamentary colleagues and parliamentary staff should be proper and appropriate.

“Harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour wherever it takes place is not consistent with the Ministerial Code and will not be tolerated.”

And, following the Patel scandal, it says: “When holding meetings overseas with Ministers and/or officials from overseas governments, or where official business is likely to be discussed, Ministers should always ensure that a private secretary or Embassy official is present.

“If a Minister meets an external organisation or individual and finds themselves discussing official business without an official present – for example at a social occasion or on holiday – any significant content should be passed back to the department as soon as possible after the event.

“Ministers should seek guidance in advance from their Permanent Secretary, who should consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in cases of doubt.”

The last sentence follows the failure to explicitly include a requirement to inform the Foreign Office about overseas meetings, which is thought to have angered Boris Johnson in the Patel case.

Ms May's official spokesman said, about the new version, that she had “asked all Cabinet colleagues to confirm at a later date that they and their ministerial teams have read it”.