The decision to publish the advice was described as “highly unusual” by Peter Riddell, director of the Institute for Government.
If this was a “well thought-through departure from the usual rules”, he said, then “the civil service, parliament and public need to be informed at the earliest opportunity as to how the new system will operate.” However, he added that “the concern is that this was a hasty decision that will have unintended consequences for advice given to ministers on future major issues – including referendums.”
Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, called the decision to publish “a rather strange precedent”.
See also Editorial