Ministers should no longer have the power to make the final decision on senior Whitehall appointments, an official watchdog has recommended.

A report published by the committee on standards in public life yesterday said reforms to the current system were needed to address growing public concerns over "cronyism".

Dame Rennie Fritchie, the commissioner for public appointments, has warned in the past that in some departments, shortlists have been shown privately to ministers during the appointment process.

"She needs a board of commissioners to generate a strategic dialogue with departments and prevent an escalation of disputes," said committee chairman Sir Alistair Graham.

"And the rules on how ministers are involved in senior appointments need to be reformed to counter a lack of public trust in the system."