At his fourth party conference of the season, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman spoke about the need for civil service impartiality with Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Territorial Politics professor Nicola McEwen and columnist Kenny Farquharson.

In his latest Civil Service World column, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman looks at how the recent series of momentous political events has impacted the civil service.

Speaking at a Liberal Democrat Party conference panel event, Penman and two Lib Dem peers explained the need for an impartial civil service.

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to confirm no civil servant will be asked to “breach their obligation under the civil service code”.

Responding to reports of a SpAd gender pay gap, FDA General Secretary underscored the responsibility for this group's diversity and salary levels rests with the Prime Minister.

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman warned the Prime Minister not jeopardise civil service impartiality following the revelation of a Cabinet Office document instructing government communications staff to report "unhelpful" Brexit narratives.

The FDA General Secretary also reminded Boris Johnson that he will be accountable for “any failure of any policy”.

The General Secretary noted that "there’s a huge difference between bringing in new ideas or radical agendas and implementing untested ideologies which, if they go wrong, will impact upon the delivery of public services to millions of citizens."

The General Secretaries of the FDA and Prospect have written to party leaders, asking them to pledge their support for civil service values.

The General Secretaries of the FDA and Prospect are to send a joint letter to the leaders of the UK's main political parties calling on them to defend civil servants' "impartiality and integrity".

The scrapping of the cut-off date for historical complaints is an important first step. However, the House still needs a fully independent complaints process, says General Secretary Dave Penman.

“The decision on historical cases is, however, only one of the two key recommendations made in the Dame Laura Cox report," states FDA General Secretary Dave Penman.

"Three independent reports have painted a picture of routine bullying and harassment, making similar recommendations. There is no more evidence to gather. Now it is time for action," writes General Secretary Dave Penman in his Times Red Box column.

General Secretary Dave Penman tells BBC Newsnight's Mark Urban what Sir Kim Darroch's resignation means for the civil service.

“Sir Kim Darroch has been placed in an impossible situation, firstly by the leaking of confidential communiques and then by the failure of Boris Johnson and his supporters to provide unequivocal support," stated General Secretary Dave Penman.

The FDA-commissioned report features essays from individuals across the political spectrum.

As well as being quoted on the cover of the Times and writing an opinion piece for Red Box this week, General Secretary Dave Penman has also appeared on Talk Radio defending civil servants.

The FDA's third centenary event celebrated its Welsh members at the Senedd.

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman has condemned the civil service pay remit guidance, which limits pay rises to just 2%.

Responding to the Cabinet Office's pay remit guidance, the FDA General Secretary argued "long-term uncompetitive pay levels only threaten the government’s ability to deliver Brexit and essential public services."