Adviser cannot commission inquiries and PM retains power to exonerate himself and ministers
Boris Johnson will retain power to quash investigations and exonerate himself and ministers despite the appointment of a new standards adviser, it has been revealed, sparking high-level criticism from former top civil servants.
Those who told the Guardian it was improper for Johnson to remain the ultimate arbiter of investigations included the former cabinet secretary Bob Kerslake and the former government legal chief Jonathan Jones.
