The UK Government Friday released a policy paper explaining revisions to the Ministerial Code, a set of guidelines for the conduct of its ministers. The changes relax the consequences for minor violations of the code and expand the role of the independent advisor, an executive appointee responsible for advising the prime minister on code violations.

Prior to the code’s reissuing, ministers were expected to resign following any violation of the code. But now, pursuant to a report by Parliament’s Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Government has decided that “it is disproportionate to expect that any breach, however minor, should lead automatically to resignation or dismissal.” Instead, consequences might only include “some form of public apology, remedial action or removal of ministerial salary for a period.”  In justifying the revisions, the statement cites a need to prevent abuse of the code by those who would make “trivial” allegations out of partisan motives.

Moreover, the Government will now permit the independent advisor to initiate investigations into potential code violations, a power previously reserved for the prime minister. Still, however, any decision on what sanctions to impose is ultimately left to the prime minister.

The new revisions have caused a stir in light of the latest findings against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet. Following the conclusion of a police investigation that resulted in numerous fines, including one against the Prime Minister himself, senior official Sue Gray released her full report Wednesday on Downing Street’s conduct during COVID-19-related lockdowns, detailing the numerous parties and gatherings it hosted.

Although Johnson has accepted “full responsibility” for the parties, he announced last week he has no plans to resign.