Government officials, including both the Attorney General and Solicitor General defended the appointment as it had been made by an independent board consisting of First Civil Service Commissioner Usha Prashar; Hayden Phillips, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Constitutional Affairs; David Omand, the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary; and Robin Auld, a Lord Justice of Appeal. A few days after the announcement, the press uncovered details of his earlier conviction, sparking fresh controversy.
Government officials defended the appointment of someone who had been previously convicted, arguing that it was made by an independent board composed of Usha Prashar, Hayden Phillips, David Omand, and Robin Auld. The news of this prior conviction emerged shortly after the announcement, leading to renewed controversy.