Cabinet minister accused of inappropriate texts to MP
Cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has faced allegations of sending inappropriate texts to a female MP in Westminster, reports BritPanorama.
The Paymaster General has been called in by the government’s ethics team and reminded of his responsibilities following the emergence of these claims. In March of this year, the Cabinet Office was alerted to accusations regarding the nature of the messages sent.
Sir Laurie Magnus, the PM’s ethics adviser, investigated the matter but found no grounds for a formal inquiry. Consequently, no official reprimand was issued against Thomas-Symonds. However, a discussion between Magnus and the minister was deemed appropriate to address the concerns raised.
Following this conversation, a spokesperson for the Cabinet Office stated, “The Propriety and Ethics Team looked into an exchange of messages with a single individual. No evidence of improper behaviour was found and no further action was taken.”
The incident contributes to a challenging week for Sir Keir Starmer, who stepped down as Prime Minister earlier this week, paving the way for Andy Burnham. Thomas-Symonds, a senior minister involved in Britain’s post-Brexit trade negotiations with the EU, has been a close ally to Starmer amid the recent political turbulence.
Thomas-Symonds, 46, who is married with three children, has a background as a barrister and has served as a Labour MP since 2015. His appointment as Paymaster General followed the Labour Party’s significant victory in the 2024 elections.
While the investigation did not result in any formal action, an ally of Thomas-Symonds noted, “It is the right thing that the proper process was followed – as we should never dismiss any concerns, no matter the origin or the circumstances – and he was cleared.”
All ministers are expected to adhere to the Ministerial Code, which sets out the required standards of behaviour and accountability. The Code emphasises that ministers must uphold high standards and act in a manner that reflects public service principles.
Thomas-Symonds has been pivotal in leading the government’s efforts to strengthen trading ties with the EU post-Brexit, while firmly stating that rejoining the single market or customs union remains a red line for the government.
As the political landscape continues to shift within the UK, the implications of this incident and the broader context of ministerial conduct will be closely monitored.
The current situation underscores the complexities and challenges facing the government as it navigates both internal and external pressures.
