Clare Short

Clare Short could be stripped of her membership of the privy counsel following her claims about spying at the UN.

Downing Street confirmed that Cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull had raised the possibility in his letter to the former international development secretary which she made public at the weekend.

The official spokesman also revealed the prime minister had agreed that Sir Andrew, who oversees the ministerial code of conduct, should remind her of her responsibilities.

"Clare Short is free to make allegations. We are free to state the position as it was," said the Number 10 spokesman. 

The privy counsel is an historic honour bestowed on senior ministers which allows access to highly classified intelligence documents.

Disgraced former minister Jonathan Aitken was the last person to be stripped of his membership.

Revelation

Short had revealed that official attempts have been made to silence her following the allegation that