Thomas-Symonds says Conservatives ‘showed zero respect for ministerial code’ amid budget leak questions

Nick Thomas-Symonds has said the Conservative Party “showed zero respect for the ministerial code” when it was in power amid questions over Labour’s decision to announce aspects of their budget ahead the chancellor’s statement on Wednesday.

It was put to Thomas-Symonds, the paymaster general, on Tuesday that Labour’s budget conduct could have “broken the ministerial code”.

Thomas-Symonds responded: “The party opposite, which showed zero respect for the ministerial code in office, trying to put questions like that. It really is appalling. It is double standards.”

The accusation came during an urgent question, granted by the speaker to shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott. In her address, Trott said that the government “seems to be taking lessons from the worst bits of our record.”

Thomas-Symonds hit back, admitting to a “degree of cynicism” about the Conservative Party’s “newfound passion for parliamentary conventions”.

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