Treasury on Labour donor

The appointment of Ian Corfield, a Labour party donor, to a senior Treasury position has sparked controversy as it was revealed that the Civil Service Commission was not informed of his donation history prior to approval. Corfield has donated over £20,000 to Labour politicians, including £5,000 to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which raised questions about the integrity of the hiring process. Conservative MP Laura Trott has demanded transparency from the Treasury, suggesting that the government withheld crucial information that could have influenced the watchdog's decision. The Civil Service Commission stated that it is the responsibility of the employing department, in this case, the Treasury, to conduct background checks on candidates. Critics argue that this case highlights significant gaps in the rules governing civil service appointments and call for clearer oversight to prevent potential conflicts of interest. The Treasury has not disclosed whether Corfield's donations were declared during the hiring process, leading to further scrutiny.