The FDA’s General Secretary, Dave Penman has welcomed the decision of the courts today to grant the union’s judicial review on the Ministerial Code a full hearing, arguing that it is “vital” that decisions on the Ministerial Code are “subject to the rule of law”.
In a statement, Penman said:
“We are very pleased that The Honourable Mr Justice Linden has today granted permission for a full hearing in our judicial review. The Ministerial Code is the only means by which civil servants can raise complaints against the conduct of ministers and it is vital that decisions on this are subject to the rule of law.
“Ministers should be held to the same standards of conduct as civil servants. We welcome the opportunity now granted to argue that point fully that the Prime Minister erred in his interpretation of the Ministerial Code when deciding that the Home Secretary did not break the code.”
The outcome of the hearing, and the FDA’s response, has been widely reported, including by BBC News, the Guardian and the Mirror.
You can read more from the General Secretary on why the FDA is pursuing this legal challenge here.
This week, the FDA attended the 2026 TUC Congress in Brighton. FDA delegates spoke to and moved motions on a range of topics, including the review of the civil service, supporting effective management, accountability and safe contracting in the NHS, and the importance of an evidence-led approach to regulation.
Yesterday, FDA staff and reps attended the 2026 Fast Stream annual Base Camp, welcoming this year’s new joiners to the scheme and sharing the benefits of FDA membership with them.
The FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has written to Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots, asking him to remind MLAs that when officials appear before the Assembly, impartiality must not be brought into question.
