Andy Hoxhaj
A report that ranks the UK 20th out of 182 countries for corruption highlights the need to reform misconduct in public office and anti-SLAPP legislation.
The United Kingdom has fallen to its lowest ever score in Transparency International's global corruption index, ranking 20th out of 182 countries, as public trust in politics has fallen to a worrying level.
Recent polls by the Electoral Commission show that only 14 percent of the public trusts politicians and only 4 percent think they act in the best interests of the country.
These figures point to a deeper crisis of trust in the way power is exercised and limited in public office. A series of controversies over the past decade have fueled this distrust, including recent allegations that Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor passed official government documents and classified information to Jeffrey Epstein — allegations that both the former minister and the former prince have denied.
The cumulative effect is corrosive. When the public widely perceives that there is one set of rules for the powerful and another for everyone else, trust in public life erodes. Rebuilding that trust requires more than tough speeches from the prime minister or opposition leader — recent polls and corruption indexes show that continuing business as usual is not enough to change the situation.
Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson, despite recognition of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, has fueled distrust of politicians.
The legal framework for misconduct in public office needs to be reformed. Existing laws are centuries-old and inadequate for the complexities of modern governance. The “revolving door” phenomenon between public officials and the private sector creates conflicts of interest and privileges.
Since 2021, the Law Commission has called for the law on misconduct in public office to be replaced with a clear criminal offence in the statute. But can the law, as it is currently formulated and implemented, realistically tackle abuses of power at the highest levels?
Parliament must ensure that the reform of misconduct in public office is robust and comprehensive. A modern statutory offence could close legal gaps, clarify thresholds and ensure that serious misconduct by senior decision-makers falls clearly within its scope.
It should also protect those who report wrongdoing and corrupt behaviour. In the King’s Speech next month, the government is due to introduce legislation to tackle strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The UK is widely considered a global hotspot for SLAPPs, as a result of defamation laws that favour plaintiffs and allow them to use the courts to silence and financially exhaust journalists, activists and non-governmental organisations investigating matters of public interest.
The United Kingdom plans to host a global anti-corruption summit in June in an attempt to lead international efforts against corruption. This ambition is welcome — but credibility abroad begins with integrity at home.
Reforming the law on misconduct in public office and enacting anti-SLAPP legislation would be serious steps towards restoring public trust and evidence that Britain takes abuse of public office seriously.
Andi Hoxhaj is a lecturer in law at King's College London.
