Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on Sir David Normington’s comments that the Tories are placing their allies in public roles, said:

‘It is vital we prevent important public roles like the chairman of the BBC Trust or the heads of museums and galleries becoming politicised like they have been in the past.

“Sir David’s warning must be heeded and the Government should rule out implementing the Grimstone review in its current form.

“These jobs are paid for by the taxpayer and they must be carried out by the people who are best qualified to do them. We can’t return to an age when they are doled out to political chronies as a reward for services rendered.”