Geidt of the long knives: what the PM’s ethics adviser’s resignation means

Boris Johnson has lost his second ethics advisor since entering No. 10. This evening Lord Geidt announced his resignation as the Prime Ministers’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests:

‘With regret, I feel that it is right that I am resigning from my post as Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests.’

There have been rumours for some time that Geidt – who previously served as the Queen’s private secretary – could be on the brink of resigning. He was brought in last April to replace Sir Alex Allan, who quit the role in late 2020 after Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, stayed in post despite being found to have broken official guidance on ministerial behaviour.

There have been signs in the past few months to suggest Geidt was frustrated at the government’s handling of several issues. He cleared the Prime Minister of serious wrongdoing on wallpaper-gate – how Johnson funded the refurbishment of the Downing Street flat.