...refusing an order to lie is treated as an offence. I am given to understand that this extraordinary policy has been formally confirmed by several successive governments and is still in force.
OK, I work for the government, so this is stuff that I should be aware of. Please give me ANY reference document, policy letter, speech or formal source that confirms your belief.
I am not disputing what someone may or may not have said to a fellow PPruner over 2 decades ago, I am simply saying that I do not believe that anyone working in govt today believes, for a second, that
refusing an order to lie would lead to disciplinary action.