Sir John Bourn is to have his travel arrangements signed off by the NAO's audit committee chairman Steve Freer as a result of his damaging expenses issues.
The NAO boss will now have any planned expenses scrutinised by Freer before they are authorised, the Public Accounts Commission has announced.
Freer will also have the power to veto any travel by the NAO chief's wife which is put on the public expense.
Yesterday, the Public Accounts Commission hammered out a new system of checks and balances to which the NAO boss will be held, based on the framework for government permanent secretaries.
The system includes air travel by business class and hotels selected on the basis of the best of three competitive quotations, unless diplomatic service accommodation or accommodation at a conference venue is used.
PAC chairman Alan Williams MP said: 'I am extremely grateful that Mr Freer has agreed to take on this role in relation to the Comptroller & Auditor General’s expenses. His involvement will help to ensure that these arrangements are both effective and transparent.'
Freer said: 'The PAC has taken great care to devise arrangements which will strengthen scrutiny of the Comptroller & Auditor General’s expenses and benefits. I am happy to play a personal role in ensuring that these arrangements are implemented successfully in the way the commission intends. Far from detracting from the Comptroller & Auditor General’s independence I believe that these more transparent arrangements will promote public confidence and trust in the critically important work for which the Comptroller & Auditor General is responsible.'
The commission added that it will be reviewing the NAO's corporate governance arrangements to ensure that these conform to best practice.
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