Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister for the Civil Service Prerogative. Despite an extensive publicity campaign by trade unions, the government refused to reverse its decision, instead offering affected employees the choice between £1,000 and membership of a staff association or dismissal. Those employees dismissed could not rely on an industrial tribunal, as they were not covered by the relevant employment legislation. As such, the Council of Civil Service Unions decided judicial review was the only available route. The decision to ban workers at GCHQ from trade union membership had been taken following the meeting of a select group of ministers and the prime minister rather than the full Cabinet.
Civil Service (United Kingdom) and instructions to departments and agencies regarding the terms and conditions of service of civil servants. It is the guiding document which gives delegation to civil service organisations, from the Minister for the Civil Service, in order for them to make internal personnel policies. The Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code is maintained by the Civil Service Commissioners and is based on the "principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition." The Osmotherly Rules set out guidance on how civil servants should respond to Parliamentary select committees. A two-volume 125-page "Directory of Civil Service Guidance" was