Stuart Sterling stepped aside from his watchdog role advising the prime minister on public standards while officials review his background. A 2003 police misconduct hearing resulted in Sterling receiving a financial penalty of two weeks' pay for inappropriately touching a female colleague. He faced an additional allegation in 2008 concerning an outside social gathering, which he denied before voluntarily leaving policing. Before his watchdog appointment, Sterling built a prominent civil service career, earning an OBE in 2023 for assisting with Queen Elizabeth's funeral arrangements.
Key points
The head of the UK ethics watchdog has stepped aside while officials investigate past sex…: The head of the UK ethics watchdog has stepped aside while officials investigate past sexual misconduct allegations.
The Cabinet Office is set to review whether proper disclosures were made throughout Sterl…: The Cabinet Office is set to review whether proper disclosures were made throughout Sterling's career transitions.
Stuart Sterling denies a secondary 2008 misconduct claim and maintains that he left the p…: Stuart Sterling denies a secondary 2008 misconduct claim and maintains that he left the police force voluntarily.
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- Published
The head of the government's main ethics watchdog has stepped back after it emerged he was investigated in a previous job over alleged sexual misconduct involving female colleagues, and had, in one case, been sanctioned.
Stuart Sterling was appointed as the first chief executive of the newly formed Ethics and Integrity Commission in October 2025.
The existence of the allegations against Sterling, and the investigations into them, were first reported by the Sunday Times.
Following the report, a government spokesperson said: "These are serious allegations. Stuart Sterling has stepped back from his role while we swiftly establish the facts."
The Labour Party promised in its 2024 manifesto to create the commission to "ensure probity in government" in response to scandals during the Covid pandemic.
As its head, Sterling's role included advising the prime minister on tackling misconduct in public life.
The Sunday Times reported that, in 2003, Sterling had been subject to a "full misconduct hearing" when he was a junior officer with Northamptonshire Police in what was treated as a case "of sexual harassment".
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