Rishi Sunak could face investigation by ethics advisor, and it involves his wife Akshata Murthy

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has found himself in the centre of a controversy after failing to mention a possible conflict of interest involving his wife, Akshata Murthy.

Rishi Sunak fails to declare conflict of interest

Murthy is listed as a shareholder in a private childcare agency that will directly benefit from policies announced in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Budget.

During his appearance in front of Parliament’s Liaison Committee yesterday 28 March, Sunakfailed to state Murthy’s financial interest in Koru Kids when he was questioned by MPs over why new childcare reforms privileged private agencies.

Labour Chair of the Commons Petitions Committee, Catherine McKinnell, asked whether Sunak wished to declare an interest in regards to the policy. The Prime Minister answered:

No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way.

His latest register of ministerial interests dating from May 2022 does not mention that his wife is a shareholder in Koru Kids either, even though Companies House records lists her as a shareholder as recently as 6 March 2023 and has been since March 2021.

The new register of ministerial interests is scheduled to be published in the coming weeks.

inews believes Sunak has declared the interests with the Cabinet Office.

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Call for investigation by ethics advisor

According to the Commons guide to procedure, MPs are expected to declare any interests, including the 'interests of their spouse, partner or close family members', that might 'give rise to a conflict'.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said:

There are serious questions for Rishi Sunak to answer over any potential conflict of interest, and any extra income his family could receive from his own government’s policy.

Too often we have seen Conservative sleaze run amok. The public must be reassured that any breach of the ministerial code by the Prime Minister will be fully investigated.

The Liberal Democrats have urged his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to investigate.

Sources used:

inews: 'Rishi Sunak accused of conflict of interest over wife’s shares in childcare agency that benefits from Budget policy'

Evening Standard: 'Rishi Sunak’s wife holds shares in childcare agency buoyed by Budget'