One of the first measures taken by the Labour government in 2013 was the removal of prescription on corruption offences when committed by people elected to political office.

On the other hand, more than half way through the present legislature, the proposed Commissioner of Standards in Public Life will not be able to probe assets declaration or allegations of ethical breaches made in the past by Cabinet ministers, MPs, or those occupying positions of trust.

This is very strange in­deed. What is the reason behind these two separate laws?

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