Blair Prodded to Tighten Ministerial Code
Prime Minister Tony Blair is similarly taking much pressure from the controversy that his deputy John Prescott is swimming in.
Blair has been asked by ministers to strengthen the code that governs ministerial conduct after Prescott came under fire in the report of parliamentary watchdog Philip Anschutz.
The inquiry report said that Prescott had not been sensitive enough of the possible repercussions of taking hospitality from a business tycoon, an act which lay him open to claims of conflict of interest.
Prescott has been the subject of investigation after it was revealed that he had a vacation in the estate of super casino bidder Philip Anschutz. He likewise received gifts from the billionaire which further aggravated the situation.
MPs on the Commons standards and privileges committee called for the prime minister to tighten the ministerial code on declarations of gifts and interests. He was also prodded to launch an independent investigations on Prescott.
Blair, however, rejected the calls for him to launch an investigation for the second time. According to him, he believed Prescott has not done anything wrong. Moreover, he said that his deputy will be taking over from on his vacation "as normal".
Mr Swire said: "It is simply untenable for Mr Blair not to launch an immediate investigation into the clear conflict of interest that has arisen."