I’m distinctly queasy with Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP accepting the role of special consultant with pharmacy company, Alliance Boots, so soon after being Secretary of State for Health, as reported in the latest proceedings of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

Here’s  is what it says in the Committee’s Guidelines:

The Advisory Committee will consider each appointment on its merits, against specific tests relating to the following:

• to what extent, if at all, has the former Minister been in a position which could lay him or her open to the suggestion that the appointment was in some way a reward for past favours?
• has the former Minister been in a position where he or she has had access to trade secrets of competitors or knowledge of unannounced Government policy which would give his or her company an unfair advantage?
• is there another specific reason why acceptance of the appointment would give rise to public concern of a degree or character to justify advising the former Minister that there should be a delay or another condition in taking up the appointment, or that the appointment is unsuitable?

In their deliberations, two members of the committee members dissented from the advice given to Patricia Hewitt, which was to:

“Wait 6 months from the date on which she left office, and for 12 months from the same date she should not be involved personally in lobbying the Government on the company’s behalf.”

The members of the committee are:

• The Rt Hon Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC DL (Chairman)
• Sir John Blelloch KCB (Vice-chairman)
• The Rt Hon Lord Morris of Aberavon KG QC
• The Rt Hon Lord Maclennan of Rogart
• The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG FRSE
• Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton GBE KCB FEng FIEE
• Sir Bryan Nicholson GBE

I wonder which two were dissenters, and why? After all it’s only six months ago that she was Secretary of State for Health. I still feel queasy about this, maybe its the speed of cashing in on ministerial knowledge, but mostly it’s the darned crust of the woman that offends.

Hatip: RedBox

UPDATE:I almost forgot the lady’s other appointment as senior adviser for Cinven, which also attracted two dissenting voices. I wonder if it’s anything to do with Cinven’s focus on the healthcare sector and investment in private medical businesses. It does leave a sour taste, to jump ship from leading the NHS to advising on private sector involvement. I guess these appointments won’t win her any friends among the backbenchers with whom she now sits.