ABSTRACT
The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) is an independent, nondepartmental body of the Cabinet Office which reports to the Prime Minister with policy recommendations to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life. It was established in 1994 by Prime Minister John Major following damaging allegations about the behaviour of Members of Parliament, ministerial patronage over public appointments, and the unregulated exodus of ministers from public office to lucrative private sector directorships. In announcing its establishment, the Prime Minister gave the Committee broad terms of reference ‘to examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office … and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life’ (HC Debs, 25 October 1994, Col. 758). These terms of reference were widened by the current Prime Minister in November 1997 to cover the funding of political parties.
