Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life
On Wednesday, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee will hold a pre-appointment hearing with Douglas Chalmers, the Government's preferred candidate for the position of Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).
Meeting details
The CSPL was created in 1994 to examine areas of concern about the standards of conduct of public office holders, advise the Prime Minister accordingly, and to promote the highest standards of conduct across public life. It was established to report on general issues rather than to undertake investigations into individual cases and operates in a similar manner to select committees.
Douglas Chalmers has been Master of Emanuel College Cambridge since 2021, before which he served in the British Army, rising to Lieutenant General and Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff. Chalmers was made an MBE in 2003 and OBE in 2008. He was also made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2021 for services to defence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MPs will question Douglas Chalmers on how his past experiences have equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to take on the role, as well as his priorities in the role if appointed.