We will act quickly to restore public trust in the political process

Iain Duncan Smith

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Duncan Smith discusses ways of restoring public confidence in politics by tackling the "worst abuses of power introduced by Mr Blair".

His first target is the "rapidly accelerating politicisation of our once admirably neutral civil service".

Mr Duncan Smith uses the Bernie Ecclestone affair and the latest furore at the transport department to highlight the "disturbing pattern" of political appointees "wielding excessive power over career civil servants".

Televised briefings

He says the Conservatives would impose a cap on the number of special advisers, cutting their number by at least 25% to a maximum of 60.

The lessons of ministerial abuse must also be learned, argues Mr Duncan Smith.

He believes there should be a legally binding ministerial code, possibly overseen by a new commissioner.

Butler says civil service impartiality is under "no great threat"

The Tory leader also proposes introducing televised government press briefings, like those held in the United States.

He says these would "shine a light into the deepest, darkest recesses of Downing Street's power".

"We will initiate discussions with journalists and others to seek a consensus on how best we can achieve a 21st century model of informing the public about the work of the government," he says.

Entrenching independence

Lord Butler of Brockwell, who was cabinet secretary when Labour came to power in 1997, said the civil service's impartiality was not under "any great threat".

But speaking on BBC One's Breakfast With Frost programme, Lord Butler joined calls for the government to deliver on its promise of a civil service act to enshrine that independence in law.

Wicks says his committee will pull no punches

Special advisers performed a useful role in all governments but there were some jobs should be preserved for permanent civil servants, he argued.

"To have people whose jobs do not depend on ministers close to them has been valuable in keeping the honesty of government in this country," said Lord Butler.

'Secret dossier'

"That is a very important thing to maintain. I'm sure the government means to maintain it but now to entrench it in an act I think would be a help."

Lord Butler said a Civil Service Act would not have prevented the current row because it could not govern when people had arguments with each other.

Sir Nigel Wicks, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, also wants to see such legislation.

His committee is launching an inquriy into the role of special advisers and civil servants and on Monday will publish a list of 19 questions it hopes to examine.

"You will see there is no punch-pulling there," Sir Nigel told Sky News.

The Sunday Times newspaper publishes what it says is a "secret dossier" compiled by Martin Sixsmith, claiming to show Mr Byers did not tell MPs the truth about his part in the civil servant's departure.

Downing Street says it does not recognise that account as an exact record of any discussions.

He insisted Mr Byers told MPs the truth because the transport secretary simply did not have the power to block Mr Sixsmith's move.

"There were strong feelings around but no one - and I stress no one - had a veto," the spokesman said.