Union condemns immigration leaks - 30 March 2004

The FDA today condemned the leaking of information about immigration policy and procedure. The FDA has not been directly involved in either the case of Mr Moxon or Mr Cameron, and has not commented in detail on their cases. However, the union has made clear that there is no excuse for civil servants leaking to either politicians or the media. The FDA represents senior managers across the civil and public services.

Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary said: "The FDA has no direct comment to make on the individual cases of either Mr Moxon or Mr Cameron. We are satisfied that the internal procedures within the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office will resolve those issues.

"However, there are very clear procedures set out in the Civil Service Code to enable a civil servant with genuine concerns to raise them either through their department or directly to the Civil Service Commission. No one raising genuine concerns in this way would suffer any penalty. What is unacceptable is for civil servants to go directly to the media or to politicians. This is a clear breach of civil service rules. Leaks like this damage the relationship of trust between ministers and civil servants, and undermine the UK's system of government.

"The FDA campaigned long and hard for the introduction of the Civil Service Code following the prosecution of Clive Ponting. We are currently working with the Cabinet Office to ensure that all civil servants are aware of the code, and of the avenues available to them within their own department to raise any concerns."

Ends

Notes for Editors
1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UKs 11,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

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