The curtain call: Fox to make personal statement following report

By Ian Dunt

Liam Fox is expected to make a personal statement to the Commons today as he settles into life on the backbenches following a report into his conduct.

The Cabinet secretary found Mr Fox has "clearly" breached the ministerial code yesterday, in a report whose production was surrounded in mystery and rumour.

Despite originally being pegged for a 10:00 BST publication, the report was not released until late in the afternoon, triggering speculation about cover-ups and revisions.

Some critics suggest the report was changed to protect those funding Adam Werritty, Mr Fox's friend who found himself at the centre of the scandal.

The row is almost certain to be raised during PMQs at lunchtime, after which leader of the House Sir George Young will make a statement on the subject, followed by around an hour of debate.

Mr Fox is then expected to make a personal statement.

Yesterday he stressed that the report did not find that he benefited financially from the arrangement with Mr Werritty.

"I am pleased that the report makes clear that the two most serious allegations, namely of any financial gain sought, expected or received by myself and any breach of national security, have no basis," he said.

"As I said in the House of Commons last week, I accept that it was a mistake to allow the distinctions between government and private roles to become blurred, and I must take my share of the responsibility for this."

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the report was "superficial".

"This report only scratches the surface of potential wrongdoing," he said.

"We need to know the role and influence of Liam Fox's 'unofficial adviser', the nature of any solicited donations and the full extent of Adam Werritty's funding and the access he had."

Mr Fox met Mr Werritty at the MoD in Whitehall 22 times in the last 16 months. He also accompanied him on 18 overseas business trips where the pair met with defence ministers, heads of state and ambassadors, many of whom have since claimed they believed Mr Werritty to be an official aide to Mr Fox, rather than an independent business man representing special interests.