UK ethics watchdog chief steps back from role over sexual misconduct claims

Stuart Sterling has stepped back as chief executive of the government’s Ethics and Integrity Commission after reports that he faced sexual misconduct allegations in an earlier police role. The government says it is swiftly establishing the facts; the development raises questions about the vetting and disclosures made before he was appointed to lead a body advising the prime minister on misconduct in public life.

The Sunday Times reported that Sterling faced a misconduct hearing in 2003 over an allegation involving a female colleague and received a financial penalty of two weeks’ pay. His representative confirmed that a disciplinary process ended in a sanction, but Sterling denies a separate alleged incident reported in 2008; his representative says it was examined by professional standards. Northamptonshire Police confirmed it holds a digital record of the 2002 process, and the Cabinet Office is examining whether the proper disclosures were made.