Rishi Sunak under investigation by standards watchdog over possible failure to declare interest
Rishi Sunak is under investigation by the Standards Watchdog
PA
Rishi Sunak is under investigation by Parliament's standards watchdog over claims he failed to declare an interest.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has launched a probe into whether the Prime Minister failed to declare a relationship which could impact his decision making.
A Downing Street source said the investigation relates to the shares his wife Akshata Murthy holds in a childcare agency that will be boosted by the Budget.
A No10 spokesman said: "We are happy to assist the Commissioner to clarify how this has been transparently declared as a Ministerial interest."
The investigation relates to the shares his wife Akshata Murthy holds in a childcare agency that will be boosted by the Budget
PA
The Prime Minister did not mention his wife's links to Koru Kids when he was questioned by MPs over why the financial announcement favoured private firms.
Koru Kids is one of six childminder agencies listed on the Government's website.
An update to the parliamentary website shows the investigation, which opened on Thursday, relates to paragraph six of the code.
“Members must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees, and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials or public office holders,” the section reads.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister will clarify how it was declared as a ministerial interest, rather than to the Commons.
But the Companies House lists her as a shareholder in the firm as recently as March 6, i News reported.
The Prime Minister's press secretary said all Sunak's interests "have been declared in the usual way".
Ministers are expected to provide a written list of all financial interests that might "give rise to a conflict".
The Prime Minister did not mention his wife's links to Koru Kids when he was questioned by MPs
PA
The "interests of their spouse, partner or close family members" are included in the information expected to be handed over.
When asked whether he had anything to declare at the time by Labour MP Catherine McKinnell he told the Liaison Committee: “No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way.”
The Liberal Democrats previously said there are "are serious questions for Rishi Sunak to answer" about "any extra income his family could receive from his own government's policy".
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