FDA disappointed by political appointment - 15 August 2007

The decision to appoint Paul Boateng MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as High Commissioner to South Africa following the next general election was today greeted with dismay by the FDA - the union representing all grades in the Diplomatic Service.

Paul Whiteman, the official responsible for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) FDA members, said:

"The FDA has campaigned long and hard for appointments to be made on the basis of merit following a process of open competition. As we understand it, Mr Boateng has simply been awarded the post with no other candidate being allowed to apply. We believe that the only way to avoid accusations of cronyism and to ensure that correct decisions are made is to have open competition. The Government is very keen for top jobs to be open to candidates from outside the civil service and we welcome the diversity that openness brings. However, such appointments can only be seen to be fair if internal and external candidates are allowed to compete against each other.

"Making political appointments during a reorganisation that results in the loss of a job for many sends entirely the wrong message to hard working and committed public servants. The FDA has just co-operated with the Diplomatic Service to reduce the size of the organisation following the 2004 Spending Review. Many diplomats have had to leave their posts as a result of the contraction."

Notes for Editors
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