Ministers’ business appointments and criminal misconduct

The offence of misconduct in office has an important role to play in the deterrence and punishment of corrupt conduct engaged in by officials. However, the offence has been underused against politicians. There should be a more politically engaged approach by the CPS and the courts to change this. There should be a greater willingness to charge Ministers whose ethical behaviour in taking up lucrative opportunities upon leaving office is a gross breach of the public’s trust, even if that involves some extension of the scope of the misconduct offence.