Top mandarin ‘reminds’ staff of bias rules in wake of Housden comments

THE UK’s most senior civil servant has insisted that government officials must act with integrity and openness, following concerns about the impartiality of Scotland’s Permanent Secretary, Sir Peter Housden.

Sir Bob Kerslake reminded Scottish staff of the “core values” of civil servants after suggestions that Sir Peter had been frozen out by other mandarins when they discussed independence.

Opposition politicians reacted with dismay to reports that Whitehall permanent secretaries no longer bring up Scotland if Sir Peter is present at top-level meetings.

It was suggested that other permanent secretaries have agreed not to discuss Scotland, because they no longer believe they can have “free and frank discussions” with Sir Peter in the room.

In the past, Sir Peter has been roundly criticised for compromising his neutral political position by appearing to favour Alex Salmond’s plans to break up Britain.

Last month, Sir Peter circulated a memo to staff, in which he informed civil servants that he expected “substantial negotiations” with UK ministers after the independence poll – all but dismissing the prospect of an SNP defeat.

According to reports, it was this memo that persuaded Sir Peter’s senior colleagues not to discuss Scotland at the weekly meeting on Wednesday mornings in Whitehall. Instead, they hold smaller ad hoc meetings without Sir Peter to look at the constitutional issue.

Yesterday, it emerged that Sir Bob met Scottish Government staff, including Sir Peter, last Thursday and discussed the challenges of dealing with the conflicting views on Scotland held by those in power in London and Edinburgh.

At the meeting, Sir Bob said: “We’re well used to serving the elected ministers of the day, whether in the Scottish Government or the UK government. It’s part of the core values of the civil service to do that with integrity and openness, giving honest and direct advice and professional support to the ministers we serve, wherever we work.”

Opposition politicians have expressed alarm over Sir Peter. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said: “Peter Housden’s behaviour could end up costing Scotland its place at the heart of civil service.

“It’s no surprise that the rest of the UK civil service view him with suspicion now, given that he has ‘gone native’.”

Scottish Labour’s culture and external affairs spokeswoman, Patricia Ferguson, said: “If the constant wrangling about the referendum is getting in the way of government operating and co-operating in other areas, that is really problematic. ”

Sir Bob and the Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood were in Edinburgh last week. But the Scottish Government described the meeting as “part of a routine visit”.

In a joint statement, Sir Bob and Sir Jeremy said suggestions that Sir Peter was being kept out of the loop were “wide of the mark”.

They said: “Far from being shut out, Sir Peter Housden … is a very experienced and valued member of the top team who regularly attends the Wednesday morning meeting of Whitehall permanent secretaries.”

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “All permanent secretaries are invited to the weekly round-up meeting. If Scotland is on the agenda it is discussed.”