Ex-ministers who break rules should be fined up to £16,000, says watchdog chief

Lord Pickles wants power to dock three months’ salary from rule-breakers

Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock previously found to have broken rules around post-ministerial jobs (PA)

Former ministers who break the rules governing jobs outside of politics should be fined up to three months’ salary, the head of the watchdog overseeing appointments has said.

Tory peer Lord Eric Pickles has again expressed his frustration with the lack of firm punishment for those who break the lobbying rules of his Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba).

Warning Rishi Sunak that “further scandals are inevitable”, Lord Pickles called on the prime minister to hand the body fresh powers to fine ministers up to £16,000.