The chair of the independent inquiry into the summer riots, Darra Singh, will join ‘big four' accountancy firm Ernst & Young before his final report is presented to leaders of the three main political parties in March, The MJ can reveal.

But the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which is providing administrative support to the Riots Communities and Victims Panel, has been quick to point out that Mr Singh's new role will have ‘no bearing' on his current oversight of the inquiry into the summer's disturbances – and that he remains on course to publish the final report in the spring.