I am really drawing on my professional experience of the past seven years.
Previously, I reported to a deputy minister's office.
In my opinion, the most important part is to let the person you report to know that these standards are non-negotiable.
Throughout my career as an ombudsperson, I have never been asked to reveal names or told which side I should take. For me, that is a non-negotiable standard.
Whether you report to a minister or to anyone else, the same principles of impartiality and independence must apply. I will always defend them.