Although David Cameron insists that he wishes to remain on good terms with his Brexit-supporting Cabinet members, he’s not planning to make life easy for them. Today Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, has issued new guidance relating to the referendum that means SpAds and civil servants are banned from assisting Eurosceptic ministers with any material that could be used to back Brexit during office hours. While they will have to work in their spare time if they wish to help their Eurosceptic bosses, civil servants and SpAds are allowed to help ministers in the Remain camp during office hours:
‘It will not be permissible for the civil service to support ministers who oppose the government’s official position by providing briefing or speech material on this matter. This includes access to official department papers except papers ministers have previously seen… prior to the suspension of collective agreement. These rules will also apply to special advisers.’
Given that Steerpike understands that the majority of Brexit-supporting minsters’ SpAds are also backing Out, it may be a shrewd — if somewhat unfair — move on Cameron’s part.
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