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Cameron gave aides extra severance pay against official advice Cameron gave aides extra severance pay against official advice
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron demanded that his closest aides receive boosted redundancy pay in one of his last acts as prime minister, overruling Whitehall guidance.David Cameron demanded that his closest aides receive boosted redundancy pay in one of his last acts as prime minister, overruling Whitehall guidance.
On his last day in office, the outgoing prime minister handed his advisers six months of pay instead of the four and a half months stated in their contracts, taking the total bill for their departure to £1m.On his last day in office, the outgoing prime minister handed his advisers six months of pay instead of the four and a half months stated in their contracts, taking the total bill for their departure to £1m.
John Manzoni, the head of the civil service, had written to Downing Street this week stating: “I do not believe that there is a case for awarding higher sums than those for which the contract allows.”John Manzoni, the head of the civil service, had written to Downing Street this week stating: “I do not believe that there is a case for awarding higher sums than those for which the contract allows.”
Manzoni said he recognised “this is a difficult time for the individuals” and noted that “there had been an expectation amongst some that their severance sum would be higher, which has led to some disappointment”.Manzoni said he recognised “this is a difficult time for the individuals” and noted that “there had been an expectation amongst some that their severance sum would be higher, which has led to some disappointment”.
But he concluded: “My strong advice is that we continue to abide by the provisions in their contracts of employment.”But he concluded: “My strong advice is that we continue to abide by the provisions in their contracts of employment.”
The special advisers raised concerns because, despite in several cases having worked in Downing Street since 2010, they were “reappointed” after the general election last year. This reduced their payouts, because the election was just over a year ago.The special advisers raised concerns because, despite in several cases having worked in Downing Street since 2010, they were “reappointed” after the general election last year. This reduced their payouts, because the election was just over a year ago.
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In a letter sent before Cameron left No 10, Simon Case, the principal private secretary, said the former prime minister had decided on the additional severance payments because he did not “wish to exacerbate an already difficult and uncertain time” for the advisers.In a letter sent before Cameron left No 10, Simon Case, the principal private secretary, said the former prime minister had decided on the additional severance payments because he did not “wish to exacerbate an already difficult and uncertain time” for the advisers.
Following Cameron’s intervention, long-standing Downing Street aides such as chief of staff Ed Llewellyn will be entitled to six months’ salary. This means he will receive £70,000. Llewellyn is also tipped to receive a peerage in Cameron’s resignation honours list.Following Cameron’s intervention, long-standing Downing Street aides such as chief of staff Ed Llewellyn will be entitled to six months’ salary. This means he will receive £70,000. Llewellyn is also tipped to receive a peerage in Cameron’s resignation honours list.
Craig Oliver, who has worked at Downing Street as director of communications since 2011, will also be entitled to half his £140,000 a year salary.Craig Oliver, who has worked at Downing Street as director of communications since 2011, will also be entitled to half his £140,000 a year salary.
Theresa May’s official spokeswoman did not endorse the decision on Friday, saying: “This was a decision taken by the former prime minister, taken before the prime minister took office.”Theresa May’s official spokeswoman did not endorse the decision on Friday, saying: “This was a decision taken by the former prime minister, taken before the prime minister took office.”
There were worries within the civil service that it could set a precedent across all government departments which could lead to another 30 special advisers getting the same deal.There were worries within the civil service that it could set a precedent across all government departments which could lead to another 30 special advisers getting the same deal.
“I do not believe there is a case for awarding higher sums than those for which the contract allows. Legal advice supports this position, and lawyers have been clear that awarding a further month’s salary for special advisers in this position would constitute a payment above the contractual entitlement,” Manzoni said.“I do not believe there is a case for awarding higher sums than those for which the contract allows. Legal advice supports this position, and lawyers have been clear that awarding a further month’s salary for special advisers in this position would constitute a payment above the contractual entitlement,” Manzoni said.
“The contract itself is designed to provide some degree of certainty and security for individuals who take on these roles in the knowledge their appointments may come to an end at short notice.”“The contract itself is designed to provide some degree of certainty and security for individuals who take on these roles in the knowledge their appointments may come to an end at short notice.”
Following the decision, Manzoni will inform the financial watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, who may refer it to the House of Common’s powerful public accounts committee for an investigation.Following the decision, Manzoni will inform the financial watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, who may refer it to the House of Common’s powerful public accounts committee for an investigation.
Cameron’s principal private secretary, Simon Case, justified the decision by saying the former prime miniter was “conscious that the situation they find themselves in is through no fault of their own”.Cameron’s principal private secretary, Simon Case, justified the decision by saying the former prime miniter was “conscious that the situation they find themselves in is through no fault of their own”.
He added: “The termination of their employment has been sudden and unexpected, and he does not wish to exacerbate an already difficult and uncertain time for them by inferring that their long and loyal service is not fully recognised.”He added: “The termination of their employment has been sudden and unexpected, and he does not wish to exacerbate an already difficult and uncertain time for them by inferring that their long and loyal service is not fully recognised.”
The news comes as the government is expected to announce a list of honours by Cameron that are likely to hand his closest aides peerages and other rewards.The news comes as the government is expected to announce a list of honours by Cameron that are likely to hand his closest aides peerages and other rewards.
May is also expected to continue with her reshuffle later on Friday and over the weekend, after filling 21 cabinet positions on Wednesday.May is also expected to continue with her reshuffle later on Friday and over the weekend, after filling 21 cabinet positions on Wednesday.
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The rest of the appointments were delayed for her visit to Scotland to meet the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and by the need to respond to the truck attack in Nice, France.The rest of the appointments were delayed for her visit to Scotland to meet the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and by the need to respond to the truck attack in Nice, France.
May’s cabinet has cleared out many of those closely associated with Cameron, including George Osborne and Michael Gove.May’s cabinet has cleared out many of those closely associated with Cameron, including George Osborne and Michael Gove.
The shakeup will also mean large payouts to departing cabinet ministers, including John Whittingdale and Nicky Morgan.The shakeup will also mean large payouts to departing cabinet ministers, including John Whittingdale and Nicky Morgan.
Matt Hancock, a key ally of Osborne, was not given a cabinet job, while Anna Soubry, the outspoken pro-EU business minister, appears also to have lost her right to sit in the cabinet.Matt Hancock, a key ally of Osborne, was not given a cabinet job, while Anna Soubry, the outspoken pro-EU business minister, appears also to have lost her right to sit in the cabinet.
May’s appointments have greatly increased the number of state-educated people in top jobs, and rewarded former colleagues from the Home Office such as James Brokenshire, who became the new Northern Ireland secretary, and Karen Bradley, who was promoted to culture secretary.May’s appointments have greatly increased the number of state-educated people in top jobs, and rewarded former colleagues from the Home Office such as James Brokenshire, who became the new Northern Ireland secretary, and Karen Bradley, who was promoted to culture secretary.
The prime minister appointed eight women to the cabinet – one more than Cameron.The prime minister appointed eight women to the cabinet – one more than Cameron.