BoE boss launches review into wannabe Labour MP who dressed as zombie at Greenpeace rally during work hours
BANK of England chiefs have launched a probe into an employee and wannabe Labour MP who posed as a zombie for an anti-government demo during office hours.
Last month The Sun exclusively revealed Alistair Strathern, 33, dressed up for a daytime Greenpeace rally at the Home Office on a Tuesday in November 2022.
His participation came despite his role working on climate change matters at the Bank.
He is also Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Mid Bedfordshire.
The rally was against new laws that curb extreme protests by environmental activist groups.
Today BoE boss Andrew Bailey confirmed staff code of conduct policies are being reviewed in the wake of the matter.
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And in a letter to Tory MP Danny Kruger, the bank chief said the issue of Mr Strathern’s behaviour is being taken “extremely seriously”.
BoE staff are banned from carrying out “activities or express views in public which create a conflict of interest with the objectives and role of the bank”.
This afternoon at a hearing of the Commons Treasury Committee, Mr Kruger told Mr Bailey: “I was unimpressed to see one of your employees dressing himself up as a zombie and taking part in a protest stunt against government policy not long ago.
“Do you think that’s acceptable behaviour for a Bank of England employee?”
Mr Bailey responded: “I’ve written to you on the subject and would be happy to go over any points in the letter.
“What I do in the letter is set out the bank’s policy – to set out the fact we’re reviewing it. I agree with you on that point that it has to be reviewed.
“One of the questions, whose time did that occur on – is of course a relevant question. I hope I set out the bank’s policies clearly in that respect and they have to be abided by at all times.”
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The Mid Beds by-election to replace ex-Cabinet minister Nadine will take place on October 19.
Mr Strathern will face off against Tory candidate Festus Akinbusoye and Lib Dem wannabe MP Emma Holland-Lindsay.