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| EU referendum row could affect functioning of Whitehall, says union | EU referendum row could affect functioning of Whitehall, says union |
| (6 months later) | |
| Ministers arguing over the role of mandarins in the run-up to the EU referendum have been warned by the leading civil servants’ union that this could cause lasting damage to relationships across Whitehall. | Ministers arguing over the role of mandarins in the run-up to the EU referendum have been warned by the leading civil servants’ union that this could cause lasting damage to relationships across Whitehall. |
| Dave Penman, the general secretary of the the FDA (the main union that represents senior civil servants) said government splits over access to documents may have long-term repercussions for the way in which ministers and their officials interact. In the short term, it could stop government functioning properly, he said. | Dave Penman, the general secretary of the the FDA (the main union that represents senior civil servants) said government splits over access to documents may have long-term repercussions for the way in which ministers and their officials interact. In the short term, it could stop government functioning properly, he said. |
| His words follow criticism from pro-Brexit ministers angered after Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, issued guidelines last week preventing civil servants preparing new research for anti-EU cabinet ministers that could be used in the EU referendum campaign. | His words follow criticism from pro-Brexit ministers angered after Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, issued guidelines last week preventing civil servants preparing new research for anti-EU cabinet ministers that could be used in the EU referendum campaign. |
| Downing Street has dismissed claims by the employment minister, Priti Patel, that Heywood behaved “unconstitutionally” and that civil servants’ independence has been compromised by the proposals. | Downing Street has dismissed claims by the employment minister, Priti Patel, that Heywood behaved “unconstitutionally” and that civil servants’ independence has been compromised by the proposals. |
| Penman told the Guardian that civil servants were expected to support government policy, which in this case was to remain in the EU. “Government departments are not the playthings of individual ministers and their own particular conscience with regard to the EU referendum,” he said. | Penman told the Guardian that civil servants were expected to support government policy, which in this case was to remain in the EU. “Government departments are not the playthings of individual ministers and their own particular conscience with regard to the EU referendum,” he said. |
| “Civil servants are there to support the government of the day and that government’s policies, which in this case is to remain part of thereformed EU. | “Civil servants are there to support the government of the day and that government’s policies, which in this case is to remain part of thereformed EU. |
| “Politicians’ continued wrangling over this issue will only serve to impact upon the smooth running of government and damage the essential relationship between civil servants and ministers.” | “Politicians’ continued wrangling over this issue will only serve to impact upon the smooth running of government and damage the essential relationship between civil servants and ministers.” |
| He appeared to dismiss criticism from pro-Brexit ministers, who claimed that Heywood’s edict would leave civil servants facing a conflict of interest. | He appeared to dismiss criticism from pro-Brexit ministers, who claimed that Heywood’s edict would leave civil servants facing a conflict of interest. |
| “The FDA welcomes the clear guidance issued by SirJeremy Heywood, which clarifies the responsibilities of ministersand civil servants,” Penman added. | “The FDA welcomes the clear guidance issued by SirJeremy Heywood, which clarifies the responsibilities of ministersand civil servants,” Penman added. |
| In a statement issued by the Vote Leave campaign group on Monday, Patel said: “It is important that the civil service maintains impartiality during the EU referendum. Jeremy Heywood’s unconstitutional act threatens the reputation of the civil service. | In a statement issued by the Vote Leave campaign group on Monday, Patel said: “It is important that the civil service maintains impartiality during the EU referendum. Jeremy Heywood’s unconstitutional act threatens the reputation of the civil service. |
| “Secretaries of state are responsible for their departments. For an unelected official to prevent them being aware of the information they need for their duties is wrong.” | “Secretaries of state are responsible for their departments. For an unelected official to prevent them being aware of the information they need for their duties is wrong.” |
| Downing Street said the ruling was justified as ministers who were campaigning to leave were opposing official government policy. | Downing Street said the ruling was justified as ministers who were campaigning to leave were opposing official government policy. |
| “The role of the civil service is to support the government’s policies and positions of the day. Ministers who choose to take a different view are opposing that government position,” the prime minister’s official spokeswoman said. | “The role of the civil service is to support the government’s policies and positions of the day. Ministers who choose to take a different view are opposing that government position,” the prime minister’s official spokeswoman said. |