Progrès accomplis dans les réformes anticorruption au sein du gouvernement central et de la police au Royaume-Uni

Le Groupe d'États contre la corruption (GRECO) du Conseil de l'Europe a clos sa dernière procédure de conformité concernant le Royaume-Uni, compte tenu des progrès réalisés dans la mise en œuvre des recommandations du GRECO relatives à la prévention de la corruption au sein des hautes fonctions exécutives au niveau du gouvernement central et des services répressifs.

Dans un rapport publié aujourd'hui, le GRECO conclut que le Royaume-Uni a mis en œuvre de manière satisfaisante huit des douze recommandations contenues dans son rapport d'évaluation du cinquième cycle, publié en 2018. Trois recommandations ont été partiellement mises en œuvre et une n'a pas été mise en œuvre.

Les transgressions du Code ministériel sont plus faciles à examiner

In today's report, GRECO acknowledges considerable progress in implementing its recommendations to strengthen transparency and promote integrity among people with top executive functions in government. Notably, the terms of reference of the Ministerial Code have been revised to allow the Independent Adviser on ministers' interests to launch investigations into alleged breaches of the code.

GRECO notes that guidance has been updated on declarations of interests by public servants, and transparency guidance documents have also been revised in respect of ministers, senior officials and special advisers. Declarations of interests by public servants in relevant departments are also being published more frequently, although the focus of the disclosure system continues to focus primarily on conflicting interests, rather than a broader approach to assessing anti-corruption risks.

Des améliorations significatives dans les pratiques des services de police

As regards law-enforcement agencies, GRECO welcomes the commendable progress made in implementing all of its recommendations satisfactorily. In particular, the Policing Code of Ethics has been integrated into regular training and a dedicated code of ethics has been adopted by the National Crime Agency (NCA). A new, comprehensive disciplinary policy has also been introduced in the NCA, and a mechanism for the confidential reporting of misconduct has been made fully operational.

In addition, GRECO notes that the Metropolitan Police Service has improved vetting and overhauled its disciplinary procedures. The staff of the Directorate of professional standards has also been increased, and internal and external channels for reporting misconduct have been introduced. Another important development is the setting up of the Independent Office for police conduct, along with legal provisions to help protect the identity of whistleblowers. Finally, although post-employment restrictions have not been broadened to cover all police officers leaving their function, GRECO notes that this matter has been given due consideration.

GRECO invites the British authorities to keep it informed of any further developments concerning the full implementation of the outstanding recommendations.

In particular, GRECO looks forward to the follow-up to the 2024 post-legislative scrutiny of the Lobbying Act, which outlined several measures already addressed in GRECO's recommendations to further enhance transparency in this area. The introduction of disclosure by special advisers of their contacts with lobbyists and third parties would be another important development, which has yet to materialise.

Finally, GRECO encourages the authorities to proceed with revising the status, remit and powers of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, and to introduce concrete, enforceable sanctions for breaches of post-employment restrictions.

Lire le rapport dans son intégralité

Lire le rapport du cinquième cycle d'évaluation

GRECO