RISHI SUNAK broke the MPs’ code of conduct by not declaring his wife’s financial interest in a childminding company, the Commons’ standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg found today.

The PM failed to detail Akshata Murty’s stake in Koru Kids, which is set to benefit from government policy, Mr Greenberg said.

Mr Greenberg concluded that the breach arose out of Mr Sunak’s “confusion” around the rules on declaration.

He decided to close the inquiry without the need for further action after finding the error to have been made inadvertently.

Mr Sunak declared his wife’s stake in Koru Kids in the ministerial register of interests after he failed to mention it when being questioned by an MP on the liaison committee.

“In accordance with the code, Ms Murty’s shareholding was a relevant interest that should have been declared during the liaison committee meeting on March 28 2023,” Mr Greenberg said.

The standards commissioner said that he was satisfied that Mr Sunak confused the concept of registration relating to arrangements for ministers with those of declaring interests under the code of conduct for MPs.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “This is just further evidence that the system needs a full overhaul.

“Despite his apology and repeated promises of change, Mr Sunak recently ditched a key recommendation from Parliament’s standards committee, which Labour supported, to tighten the rules around declaring interests and hospitality.

“Labour will toughen up the system, increase transparency and introduce an independent ethics and integrity commission that will clean up our politics and restore standards to public life.”

Koru Kids is set to benefit from a pilot scheme offered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his Budget in March to incentivise people to become childminders.

The scheme offers £1,200 to those who train to become a childminder through an agency.

Labour Lord Prem Sikka said: “Mr Sunak broke Parliament’s code of conduct, didn’t declare his wife’s shareholding in a childcare company benefitting from government policy.

“No action taken — the breach was inadvertent. What would happen if you inadvertently broke speed or parking rules?”

The Prime Minister’s press secretary said: “The commissioner’s investigation into the Prime Minister’s declaration of interest has been resolved by way of rectification.

“The Prime Minister takes seriously his responsibilities to register and declare all relevant interests.”