'Save us from new Jo Moores'

The head of the Civil Service today called for new laws to protect his staff against the threat of being politicised by ministerial aides.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson spoke out to MPs investigating the feud in Stephen Byers's Transport Department, which led to the departure of aide Jo Moore and press chief Martin Sixsmith.

Sir Richard said the rulebook left "grey areas" as to what constituted improper behaviour.