09 July 2012

Ozouf Censure: The Saga Continues

Censure of Treasury Minister Withdrawn in Favour of PAC Investigation 



Treasury Minister, Philip Ozouf



 
 Senator Sarah Ferguson







'It is quite clear that, at the moment, it is virtually impossible for the Assembly to hold Ministers to account.'


Yesterday Evening, the following Statement was issued by Senator Sarah Ferguson on behalf of herself and the 3 other States Members who were bringing the Censure Motion, p61, against the Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf:


'With great reluctance, it has been decided to withdraw the Proposition, P.61/2012, seeking a Vote of Censure against the Treasury Minister.
Given the dispute that has broken out as to the interpretation and use of evidence, and notwithstanding questions about the timing of these interventions by the former Interim Treasurer and Senator Bailhache, we think it would be wrong to pursue this Proposition while these issues remain active.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Deputy Tracey Vallois
Instead, we are asking the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (“PAC”) and the Chief Minister to investigate these allegations. 

Since the proposition was submitted, matters have moved on and become even more serious.
We consider the resignation of the Comptroller and Auditor General (“CAG”) to be a grievous blow to the reputation of the Island, and strongly reiterate our support for him and the report itself. It would also appear that the former CAG has had little or no support from the Council of Ministers since the publication of the report.  We also deplore what have in effect been inferred attacks upon the integrity of the CAG.
We would remind Members of the note of resignation from the former CAG from which we conclude that he became very concerned that the debate was shifting away from the issues identified in the report and was becoming more politically focussed. We also remind members of the letter dated 18th May 2012, in which the former CAG repeated (to the PAC) a warning that “to avoid the consequences of a critical report, it was likely that an attempt would be made to discredit the report by discrediting its author”. In our opinion this would appear to be what is happening.
The original issues remain the same as they were when the Scrutiny Panel undertook its original review into the Lime Grove transaction. 
The matter was initially referred to the CAG as the panel considered that the issues identified during its review were serious, and were beyond its remit. This was entirely appropriate given that some of the issues impacted on the integrity of the States.
Recently resigned, C&AG, Chris Swinson
The resultant report is not a legal document (in the sense of being prepared for a Court Case) but a report of a Comptroller and Auditor General. It is a comprehensive report based on interviews and documentary information supplied by a large number of parties.
We remind members of the credentials of Mr Swinson O.B.E. - past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales , past Chairman of the Audit Committee of HM Treasury ; member of the Financial Reporting Council ; Senior Independent Director at The Pensions Regulator and Non Executive Director at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. He was also re-appointed this year by the UK Prime Minister as a Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry. He has developed his own practice as an expert witness and mediator and is a consultant in corporate accountability and governance.
His resignation over the attempts to question his integrity is not something that members should be taking lightly.
The issues surrounding Lime Grove are not just about the failure to buy a building. The Scrutiny and CAG reports have both identified serious concerns about various processes and decision making at the highest levels in the States system.
An office which is intended to be one of the major checks and balances in our Government has been unremittingly attacked such that doubts have to be raised as to whether a new Comptroller and Auditor General can be recruited to this political environment. 
There are questions regarding the haste with which the Council of Ministers sought to close matters down, leading to the remarkable and quite frankly, risible assertion that the Treasury Minister ‘s actions were acceptable because of stress and a lack of training.
This whole episode reflects very badly on our Government. The Inquiry we are calling for should include a consideration as to how to ensure that a repetition of the events which have occurred can be avoided in the future.  It is quite clear that, at the moment, it is virtually impossible for the Assembly to hold Ministers to account.
There is immense public disquiet across the political spectrum which will not be resolved by burying the issues and attacking the former Comptroller and Auditor General.  In withdrawing the Proposition we ask all members to support the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and the Chief Minister to ensure that their ability to carry out their responsibilities with regards to the Lime Grove House Report is effective and the issues are not merely brushed under the carpet.'

Senator Sarah Ferguson
Deputy Roy Le Herissier
Connétable of Grouville
Deputy John Le Fondre




8 comments:

  1. Isn't is blindingly obvious what is happening here?

    The carefully orchestrated campaign against Ozouf by the JEP, CTV & BBC Jersey recently was a smokescreen & a warning.

    Whoever was Pulling the strings Behind this (no prizese here) was clearly telling Ozouf what could happen to him unless he tows the Feudal line.

    Once he understood his career (& power) is under threat, all media pressure lifts!

    No more getting above his station to oppose Bailhache - Next stop Gorst !

    (With a Pipless Ozouf sidelined AND Gorst out of the way soon, hey presto !

    Only the poll topping champion of Independence to save us.

    Simples

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  2. This statement is fair enough in the circumstances. As a now retired senior professional person I am becoming increasingly concerned about the almost manic obsession in some quarters to suppress the publication of the truth behind various issues.
    I quite understand that Jersey's economy is in a precarious position and that the consequences of the development of a a "bad international image" could be grave. But, unlike some who seem to be calling the shots, I believe that most people - wherever they live - prefer honesty and integrity to shallow respectability. It is better to accept that there is a problem and be seen to be dealing with it effectively than to cover it up and try to say it never happened.
    Some of our "leaders" are clearly behaving in a despicably dishonest and dishonourable way. It is also blindingly obvious that this behaviour is designed to protect themselves and not the long term future of our Island.
    I have no idea how this behaviour can be stopped - and that is the most frightening aspect of all.

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  3. They take forever to decide most things, but this is done in the blink of an eye...or wink.

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  4. Mr. T,

    Sorry for the off-topic question but could you tell me please who decides what time the public meetings about the Electoral Commission are held?

    Thank you.

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  5. Montfort.

    If all are equal in the eyes of the Jersey Establishment the Treasury Minister does NOT deserve his DAY IN COURT

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  6. Montfort.

    U.S. Journalist prevented from returning to the island because she is investigating CHILD ABUSE?

    ReplyDelete
  7. A brilliant idea. Keep up with international news and local blogs. You can subscribe with one of the blue buttons on the right of the page and never miss an issue.
    Jersey Today

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  8. Montfort.

    Why Jersey's State Media are not TRUSTED

    ReplyDelete