Vaz: Ministers should defend appointments
Keith Vaz has said ministers should "stop and think very carefully" before rejecting select committee advice on appointments.
In an interview with The House magazine Mr Vaz, chair of the Home Affairs select committee, said pre-confirmation hearings are “a very powerful tool” and minsters should take them more seriously.
The Home Affairs committee is expected to hold a hearing later this month with Tom Winsor, Home Secretary Theresa May’s controversial choice for the post of Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
He raised the example of Vince Cable, who in February appointed Les Ebdon as director of the Office for Fair Access despite over the objections of the Business, Innovation and Skills committee.
Mr Vaz said: “If a select committee says no, I think a minister should stop and think very carefully. And the next stage should not be to just go off and appoint the same person, but to actually come before the committee and defend their views."