Former rail minister told off for breaking rules after Andy Burnham announcement

A former Tory rail minister has been told off for a 'clear and unambiguous' breach of rules after Andy Burnham announced his new job.

Huw Merriman, who served under Rishi Sunak's government until he stood down at the general election in July, was unveiled as the new chair of the Liverpool-Manchester railway partnership board in September. His appointment to the organisation tasked with working on plans for a new train line was revealed by the Greater Manchester mayor at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

Mr Burnham's office said that it was 'made clear' at the time that this appointment was subject to approval by a government watchdog. However, Mr Merriman has been reprimanded for announcing the job before waiting for the watchdog's advice.

In a letter from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), Mr Merriman was accused of breaching rules that require former ministers to seek and await advice before taking on or announcing new jobs or appointments for two years within leaving office. ACOBA chair Eric Pickles, a former minister himself, wrote to Mr Merriman in November, demanding that he explains why Mr Burnham announced the appointment and why it was listed on his LinkedIn.com profile before the committee approved it.

Mr Merriman responded by saying that the role is unpaid and, at first, it was unclear whether it required ACOBA's approval. He said that he had first contacted ACOBA in mid-September and applied for approval before the board's first meeting at the end of October.

In a letter this week, Lord Picckle 'noted' the former minister's apology and explanation, but said that he would refer the matter to the government. He wrote: "Failing to await advice before announcing the role is a clear