Ethics watchdog chief Stuart Sterling steps back over misconduct claims

13h

Summary

Stuart Sterling, first chief executive of the UK government's Ethics and Integrity Commission, has stepped back from the role over historic misconduct allegations.
Sterling was appointed in October 2025 to lead the commission, which advises the prime minister on tackling misconduct in public life.
He is reported to have faced a 2003 police misconduct hearing over alleged sexual harassment of a female colleague and a further 2008 allegation.
Sterling's representative denies the 2008 allegation took place and says the 2003 complaint was fully investigated and resulted in a sanction.
The Cabinet Office is examining whether appropriate disclosures of information were made about Sterling, and the government says it is establishing the facts.

A government spokesperson said the allegations against Sterling are serious and that he has stepped back while the government swiftly establishes the facts.
Sterling's representative says he complied fully with the 2002 disciplinary process, which resulted in a sanction, and denies the alleged 2008 incident took place.
Sterling's representative says the 2008 allegation was examined by professional standards and that he was never subject to any criminal investigation.
Northamptonshire Police confirms it holds a digital record of a misconduct process from 2002 but did not comment on the later allegation.

Ethics watchdog chief steps back over sexual misconduct claimsbbc.com· 13h
A BBC News report says Stuart Sterling, appointed in October 2025 as the first chief executive of the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission, has stepped back from the role. The Sunday Times reports he faced a 2003 misconduct hearing over allegedly touching a female colleague and a further 2008 allegation, which his representative denies, while the Cabinet Office examines disclosures about him.