Candidates snub Sunak’s ethics adviser role left vacant for five months

Concern that PM wants to keep same remit as for Christopher Geidt, with no enhanced powers

Several candidates have turned down the role of Rishi Sunak's ethics adviser, to which the prime minister had pledged to appoint someone when he entered No 10, the Guardian understands.

Sunak is not offering candidates any enhanced powers - which means advisers would not be able to launch their own investigations, it is understood.