Concerns about objectivity mean that there needs to be much more scrutiny of external appointments to government departmental boards

Often providing valuable ‘outside’ experience, the presence of non-executive directors on the boards of Whitehall departments is not new. However, new coalition proposals to enhance these roles have largely gone under the radar. Stephen Crone of Democratic Audit has concerns that some of these recent appointments may not be entirely objective, given the commercial and political interests of the people involved. More scrutiny of these appointments is needed – both in parliament, and in the media.