The deputy Labour leader accused the current rules on overseeing the ministerial code of being unfit for purpose. She criticised the system for giving the Prime Minister ultimate responsibility for overseeing the conduct of those serving in Government.

       The Ashton-under-Lyne MP said: "Boris Johnson is the only person who can order investigations into ministers breaking the rules.

       "He appoints the 'independent' adviser - who can't investigate without the PM's approval - and the PM can then simply ignore this adviser.

       "A complete farce."

       In November 2020 the Prime Minister refused to sack Home Secretary Priti Patel, despite a formal investigation finding evidence she had bullied civil servants.

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       The investigation concluded "her behaviour has been in breach of the ministerial code, even if unintentionally".

       Mr Johnson has also faced multiple accusations from the Labour Party of breaking the ministerial rules himself.

       In the past year, they have accused him of failing to properly declare a luxury holiday and using an undeclared loan to pay for renovations to the No10 flat.

       Independent investigations cleared the Prime Minister of breaking the ministerial code on both occasions.

       Despite being cleared of wrongdoing, Ms Rayner directly attacked Mr Johnson himself, accusing the Prime Minister of having "undermined" the respect of his position.

       She said: "Boris Johnson and his Conservative colleagues' actions have repeatedly undermined standards in our public life.

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       "The system that is supposed to uphold the Ministerial Code, lobbying rules, business appointments, public appointments and transparency is clearly unfit for purpose.

       "Ministers have disregarded the rules and it is about time for a radical overhaul of the system."

       Ms Rayner's attack on Mr Johnson's conduct comes the Committee on Standards in Public Life proposed giving the independent adviser on ministers' interests more power.

       They said the adviser should have the ability to launch investigations into alleged wrongdoing by members of the Government without the permission of the Prime Minister.

       The committee said the adviser should also be able to determine for themselves if the code has been broken.

       A spokesman for the Prime Minister drew attention to a letter previously sent by Mr Johnson to Lord Evans rejecting suggestions the adviser should be able to act unilaterally.

       The letter "sets out our position clearly, that as the ultimate arbiter of the code... the Prime Minister believes it rightly remains for the Prime Minister to instruct on investigations".

       The spokesman added: "We will carefully consider the work of the committee."