Inquiry says Fox 'breached code'

The report into former defence secretary Liam Fox's links with his self-styled adviser Adam Werritty is expected confirm that he breached the ministerial code of conduct. Published today, the findings of Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell will deliver a "damning" verdict on Dr Fox's conduct, while accepting that he had not gained financially from his arrangement with Werritty. Fox resigned last friday following allegations suggesting his close contacts with his best man and former flatmate breached Whitehall rules. David Cameron last week ordered Sir Gus O'Donnell to take over an internal Ministry of Defence inquiry in an effort to provide answers to "all remaining questions". An interim report had already established that the tormer defence secretary had met Werritty 40 times since coming to office. Their contacts included trips abroad and meetings at the MoD, including talks with the Israeli ambassador, dinner with the new US commander of international forces in Afghanistan, and a meeting in Dubai with a defence supplier without MoD officials present. Sir Gus is not expected to make recommendations on ministers' contacts with lobbyists, as his remit was limited to establishing the facts about Werritty's activities. Downing Street has not said whether the report will be published in full or whether some details will have to be redacted, although officials have indicated that they intend to be as open as possible. The prime minister's official spokesman said: "We will be transparent about this. "We have asked Gus O'Donnell to establish the facts and we will be clear about what those facts are. "Gus has not been asked to make recommendations. He has been asked to establish the facts and that's what he will do." The Electoral Commission is still considering claims Dr Fox breached the law on political donations. And Labour MP John Mann has called on the City of London Police to investigate whether Werritty committed fraud by representing himself as Dr Fox's adviser. Coinciding with the publication of the report, two opinion polls suggest the Conservatives have been badly damaged by the scandal. A Populus poll for The Times put Labour on 41 per cent (+3), the Conservatives on 33 per cent (-1) and the Lib Dems on 8 per cent (-4). A YouGov poll for The Sun placed Labour on 40 per cent, the Conservatives on 37 per cent and the Lib Dems on 9 per cent.