Overview
- Keir Starmer told his ethics adviser he mistakenly confirmed he was content with David Kogan’s appointment despite having agreed to recuse himself from football-related decisions.
- In a letter published on Wednesday, the Prime Minister expressed “sincere regret” for the error and said he has commissioned an internal review of how recusals are managed in Downing Street.
- Sir Laurie Magnus said it was regrettable the Prime Minister was asked to sign off the appointment and welcomed the review as a step to strengthen processes.
- An investigation by Commissioner for Public Appointments Sir William Shawcross found Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unknowingly breached the appointments code by not declaring a £2,900 donation from Kogan in 2020; she apologised and faces no further action.
- Kogan, who has donated to Starmer and Nandy, has been confirmed as chair of the Independent Football Regulator, and opposition figures are calling for further scrutiny of the appointment process.