The Cabinet Office has issued instructions to all departments and agencies on the Standards of Propriety that apply Civil Service wide. Departments and agencies must reflect these standards in their guidance. Important principles from the Civil Service Code and DFID's guidance underpin these rules and include:
All DFID staff are expected to comply with the Standards of Propriety
1. DFID staff must not misuse information which they acquire in the course of their duties (Prevention of Corruption Act 1916, Company Securities (Insider Dealing) Act 1985, Financial Services Act 1986, Official Secrets Act 1911 and Official Secrets Act 1989)
2. DFID staff must not disclose official information without authority. This duty continues to apply after you leave the Civil Service (Official Secrets Act 1911 and Official Secrets Act 1989)
3. DFID staff must not take part in their official capacities in surveys or research projects, even unattributably, if they deal with attitudes or opinions on political matters or matters of policy
4. DFID staff must not take part in any political or public activity which compromises or might seem to compromise their impartiality (Cabinet Office guidelines)
5. DFID staff must not misuse their official position to further their or others private interests (Prevention of Corruption Act 1916, Company Securities (Insider Dealing) Act 1985, Financial Services Act 1986)
6. DFID staff must not give the impression that they have or may have been influenced by a gift or consideration to show favour or disfavour to a person or organisation. Specifically staff should not normally accept gifts or hospitality
DFID staff must declare and record all gifts which are accepted and are valued at over £25.
DFID staff must declare and record all hospitality which is accepted.DFID staff directly involved in the procurement of goods or services, or in the on-going monitoring or management of these contracts, must record all offers of hospitality by the contract provider, their representatives or agents or any prospective contract provider, whether accepted or not.
7. DFID staff must not abuse or ignore DFID's procedures relating to the provision of official entertainment and retreats.
8. DFID staff must not publish material (including books, journals, broadcasts or other public discussion) which draws from official information or experience without obtaining prior permission from the Director of Finance and Corporate Performance Division (FCPD)
9. DFID staff must not publish or broadcast personal memoirs reflecting their experience in Government whilst a serving member, nor as a former civil servant without permission from the Permanent Secretary through the Director of FCPD
10. DFID staff must not allow their personal or political views to determine any advice they give or their actions. This includes publishing personal comments in blogs or other web based applications. It is a requirement of the Civil Service Code that civil servants will always act in a way that is professional and that deserves and retains the confidence of all those with whom they have dealings
11. DFID staff must not take on roles in organisations funded or part funded by DFID unless an exemption has been agreed by the Director of FCPD
12. DFID staff must not behave in a way which could give rise to suspicion of any real or perceived conflict of interest between their official duty and private interests
The Induction Course includes a module on the standards of propriety expected from members of DFID staff.
The following Acts of Parliament:- Company Securities (Insider Dealing) Act 1985, Financial Services Act 1986 and the Official Secrets Act 1911 are not available on the DFID network, nor are they available electronically. If you wish copies, please contact the Stationery Office.
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