Hunt accuses Labour of cronyism over job for donor

Mr Cofield was appointed as director of investment at the Treasury without going through the usual application process, which is allowed when an open competition is not feasible, for example because of an urgent need to recruit or a role’s short duration.

There are no rules automatically preventing someone being appointed to a civil service role because of a political donation, but candidates are told they must understand the requirement to act impartially if appointed.

The Conservatives have criticised Labour for appointing a number of individuals with connections to the Labour Party to civil service roles.

Emily Middleton was named a director general in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, where the secretary of state is Peter Kyle.

She was previously a partner at consultancy firm Public Digital, which paid for her secondment to Mr Kyle’s office in opposition – a donation in kind of more than £65,000. She was also seconded to think tank Labour Together.

The Tories have also pointed to the appointment of Jess Sargeant, who previously worked for Labour Together, to a senior role in the Cabinet Office as further evidence the government is undermining civil service impartiality.

Whitehall’s recruitment watchdog, the Civil Service Commission, is conducting a review of appointments made by the new Labour government outside normal processes, following recent criticism.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has rejected accusations of cronyism, saying “we want the best people in the best posts”.