Lord Kakkar (CB)

My Lords, the Motion invites the House to approve the appointment of Dame Anne Rafferty as Commissioner for Standards for a five-year term and to approve the extension of the term of the existing commissioner, Martin Jelley, for a further three years. Since 2021, the House has appointed two commissioners who divide the duties of the role between them, and the last five years have demonstrated the benefits of this model. Last September, our previous commissioner, Margaret Obi, who had taken up the position of commissioner only a few months earlier, was appointed to serve on the High Court Bench; I wish Dame Margaret well in her new role. I chaired the recruitment panel for Dame Margaret’s successor, supported by other members of your Lordships’ Conduct Committee. The unanimous recommendation of that panel was that Dame Anne Rafferty be appointed as commissioner. Dame Anne brings vast experience. She is a former Lady Justice of Appeal, led the Iraq fatalities investigations and is chair of the State Honours Committee. A short biography giving further details of her experience is available in the Printed Paper Office. I turn next to the term of Martin Jelley. Mr Jelley was appointed to the role in 2021, and his term was due to end on 30 June this year. The Conduct Committee is acutely aware of the need for continuity in this important role, and, given the changes over the past year which I have described, it was agreed in consultation with the usual channels to recommend an extension of Mr Jelley’s appointment for a further three years. This approach will stagger future appointments, maintaining continuity in the commissioner’s office. I beg to move.