Commons report questions civil service impartiality in run up to referendum

The conduct of both the UK and Scottish Governments damaged civil service impartiality during the independence referendum, according to a damning House of Commons report.

The Commons Public Administration Select Committee examined civil service conduct in the run-up to September 18.

The report criticised both the SNP’s White Paper on independence, which it said, “did not uphold the factual standards expected of a UK Government White Paper”, and Sir Nicholas Macpherson’s decision to publish confidential advice on a currency union, which it said, “called into question the impartiality of the civil service”.

The report found that the referendum raised questions over the ability of a unified civil service to serve both the UK and Scottish Governments. It recommends that the Civil Service Code be revised to clarify the body’s role in future referendums.

On the White Paper, the Committee said: “Civil servants should not be required to carry out ministers' wishes, if they are being asked to use public funds to promote the agenda of a political party, as was evident in this case.”

It continues: “We further conclude that Sir Nicholas Macpherson's advice should not have been published. Its publication compromised the perceived impartiality of one of the UK's most senior civil servants.

“It remains the view of this Committee that Civil Service advice should remain protected. The decision to publish will have unintended consequences for advice given to ministers on future major issues—including referendums. We invite the Government to make it clear in its response to this report that the publication of advice to ministers will never recur.”