Liam Fox's ties to best man Adam Werritty under scrutiny

7 October 2011

Liam Fox: "I have asked the permanent secretary to look into these wild allegatio
 Fox dismisses 'wild allegations'
Defence Secretary Liam Fox has ordered an investigation into whether he broke the ministerial code over his working relationship with a close friend.

Mr Fox has been accused of risking national security by giving his best man Adam Werritty access to the MoD.

It is claimed Mr Werritty has been on official trips with Mr Fox to Sri Lanka but that he has neither an official role nor security MoD clearance.

Mr Fox said he ordered the inquiry to clear up "baseless accusations".

He said he would accept the findings of the probe - to be conducted by the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence.

In September, Mr Fox answered parliamentary questions from Labour MP John Mann about his relationship.

'Not travelled'"I have met Mr Werritty 14 times at the Ministry of Defence main building over the last 16 months but not in an official capacity," he said.

"Mr Werritty is not an employee of the Ministry of Defence and has, therefore, not travelled with me on any official overseas visits."

However, the Guardian newspaper reported this week that Mr Werritty had presented himself as an official adviser to the defence secretary.

And it said Mr Fox was joined by his friend when he met senior ministers of Sri Lanka during an official visit this summer.

The MoD has confirmed Mr Werritty was present for a public lecture given by Mr Fox but said he was not part of the official party and did not attend meetings.

Mr Fox said Mr Werritty had attended a private event, organised by Mr Werritty and the widow of the Tamil former foreign secretary of Sri Lanka.

A spokesman said Mr Werritty was "not and never has been" part of Mr Fox's travelling party abroad.

"Mr Werritty's meetings with the secretary of state at the MoD have concerned entirely private matters, not to discuss MoD business. At no time has he had access to any classified MoD documents or information," he added.

Business cards

The defence secretary also told BBC Breakfast that "wild accusations" had been made against him.

However, he confirmed Mr Werritty had been carrying business cards which said he was an adviser to Mr Fox.

"I understand those cards are no longer used," he said. "I've made it very clear to him that it's unacceptable to carry a card saying that he's a personal adviser."

Mr Fox had said in a statement on Thursday evening: "A number of baseless accusations have been made in recent days.

"For the sake of clarity I have asked my permanent secretary to establish whether there has been any breach of national security or the ministerial code. She will report back in due course."