Ministers have signalled that they intend to press ahead with Tina Stowell’s controverisal appointment as chair of the Charity Commission, despite her rejection by a select committee of MPs.
The culture secretary, Matt Hancock, released a statement insisting the former Conservative cabinet minister was the right candidate for the job of regulating a sector reeling from the fallout of the Oxfam sexual abuse scandal.
Hancock said it was a crucial time for the commission and the sector.
“[Lady Stowell] was appointed after a fair, open and transparent competition. She was not only the best candidate for the job, but is the right candidate and has my full backing,” he said.
Hancock’s intervention comes after a pre-appoinment hearing at which the cross-party committee of MPs concluded Stowell had “a complete lack of experience” of the sector and lacked “any real insight, knowledge or vision” for the job.
Stowell acknowledged to the MPs that she had limited experience, having previously been leader of the House of Lords between 2014 and 2016 and a senior official at the BBC Trust for nine years in the previous decade.
Hancock dismissed claims that her Tory background meant she would not operate fairly. “Tina has been absolutely clear about her impartiality in this role. I know that she will work tirelessly to protect and promote the great work that charities do and ensure they uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport must wait for a final report from the select committee, which does not have a power of veto, meaning ministers may proceed with the appointment despite its objections.
Since the system of pre-appointment was introduced there have been 96 hearings. Of the five individuals who were negatively assessed, three were appointed.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Paul Farrelly, a Labour MP, asked: “What were the skills, qualifications and experience that were considered by No 10 to such an extent that perceived political neutrality was not a core consideration?”
Stowell said she had dealt with “an internal form of regulation” at the BBC and her time leading the Lords required her to “manage very complex stakeholder relationships”.
Labour said it was concerned by Hancock’s remarks and Steve Reed, the shadow minister for civil society, wrote to the Commissioner for Public Appointments to ask if they had been consulted about the proposed appointment of Stowell before her name was announced and whether the commissioner would mount a full inquiry.
“It is vital that this appointment is carefully scrutinised so that the public have full confidence in the Charity Commission,” Reed wrote.
