Q: Do you think this affair has damaged relations between ministers and civil servants?
Barton says that is an important question.
The British system of government works best when civil servants and ministers, including the highest level, work together effectively to deliver the elected government. They’ve got slightly different jobs and roles, and responsibilities.
And whenever that isn’t happening, that isn’t happening effectively, then you’re not able to deliver as well …
So I do think there’s a challenge now, and I think it’s incumbent on all of us … to try and get back to a situation where the government of the day and the civil service of the day have trusting relationships, understanding.
Barton says he does not want to say the relationship has broken down. But there are “challenges”, he says.
And that is the end of the hearing.
Morgan MsSweeney is due to start his evidence at 11am.
