Hacker News Reader

Facebook literally employ the former deputy Prime Minister.

Yeah, but he was never really "in" with the current lot (not corrupt, different political party, not an old boy) and he hasn't been part of a government for 7 years.

It's time for a new hire/donation/whatever

This is a regulator, not a political appointee or contracted agency.

Im not quite sure what you mean. In the UK system everyone is a political appointee. Just how blatent a PM is about interfering in "independent" agencies depends on the PM. And Boris literally just sacked the head of the standards commission and dissolved it to save a political nobody who isn't even needed to shore up a majority.

There is no separation of powers here, as long as the PM is the PM, he is basically god.

Arguably yes, at least by British standards. And according to the Times’ tapes a few years ago of the former Conservative treasurer and now Baron Cruddas you're right about the 6 figures.