UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak continues to face challenges as an investigation regarding his wife's shares in a childcare company broadens. Initially, the inquiry was focused on whether Sunak failed to report his wife, Akshata Murty's, shares in Koru Kids, a childcare agency that could potentially benefit from new government policies announced in the March budget.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, has now widened the investigation to determine if Sunak also violated paragraph 13 of the MPs' code of conduct, which prohibits the disclosure of any investigation details. The initial probe sought to determine if Sunak breached paragraph 6, requiring MPs to be "open and frank" in declaring their interests.
This year's budget included the announcement of pilot payments for new childminders, providing cash incentives and allocating additional funds to those who use agencies. Koru Kids is one of six childcare agencies listed on the government's website for this program.
The MPs' code of conduct mandates that MPs "always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials, or public office holders."
While still under investigation, Sunak's office released a statement addressing the issue. A Downing Street spokesperson asserted that the interest had been "transparently declared" and that the Prime Minister would be "happy to assist the commissioner."
However, the rules state that "members (of parliament) must not disclose details in relation to: (i) any investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards except when required by law to do so, or authorized by the Commissioner; nor (ii) the proceedings of the Committee on Standards or the Independent Expert Panel in relation to a complaint unless required by law to do so, or authorized by the Committee or the Panel respectively." Consequently, Commissioner Greenberg has expanded his investigation to determine if Sunak violated these rules.
This isn't the first time the wealthy Prime Minister has faced controversy for rule violations. In January, Sunak apologized after a video of him not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car surfaced online.
Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty, recently faced backlash for taking a luxury vacation amid the UK's cost of living crisis. The Prime Minister also faced criticism for using an RAF jet for official visits.
Murty, daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayan Murty, holds a substantial stake in her father's company. With an estimated net worth of £730 million, according to Forbes, Sunak and his wife are among Downing Street's wealthiest occupants.
