WIREDGOV

Commenting on the outcome of the official enquiry by the Cabinet Office into the leak of a controversial memo and former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael’s subsequent admission that he was responsible for the leak, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said:

"It will come as no surprise to many that the source of this leak was not a civil servant but a politician and his special advisor.

“The actions of politicians in leaking documents or pointing accusatory fingers at Whitehall, as happened in this case, can cast doubt on the honesty, integrity and impartiality that are the bedrock of the civil service.

“Once again any such doubt has proved to be unfounded but not before the reputations and careers of civil servants have been brought into question.

“Politicians are more than aware that civil servants may become collateral damage when they choose to leak documents. The consequences for a civil servant leaking information could have been catastrophic, but it would appear that different rules apply when it comes to politicians.”

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union for the UK's senior public servants and professionals. FDA membership includes more than 18,000 senior civil servants, Government policy advisors, prosecutors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors and other professionals working across Government and the NHS.
2. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants’ union". 
3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.
4. For further information contact:

• Dave Penman, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5574 or 07967 503827.
• Katie Lazell, Communications Officer, tel: 020 7401 5588 or 07939 257985.