THE refusal last week by Treasury and Resources to confirm that multi-millionaire Tom Scott is indeed the new owner of Belvedere House is a worrying development for a new-look States that is considering whether to adopt the principle of freedom of information.
On the one hand, the new chief minister is arranging his affairs to bring greater transparency and accountability to his role. On the other, T&R shows that grim old habits of secrecy die hard.
It is not a comforting picture for islanders.
Ministers and their officials are already briefing against FoI legislation. It would actually reduce the level of data available to the public, they say, because departments would simply start keeping less material that they could be forced to disclose.
Yet that is already happening post Fallagate because no department wants to be held to account as the Policy Council was over its incriminating minutes, so what is now kept is merely a record of outcome. It is a depressing indication of how the body politic thinks: suppress, cover up, reveal as little as possible.
What islanders will be wondering is why Tom Scott’s name should not be linked with a former public asset. Is the States in some way ashamed of to whom it has sold a beautiful building with Palladian influences? If so, why take his money?
Perhaps the purchaser wanted to negotiate a ‘no publicity’ settlement but, again, islanders will question why?
Yes, T&R might be able to wring more value out of a sale on that basis but at what cost to credibility? Panamanian-based Wideboys Inc. – with or without Sark directors – might be prepared to pay a few quid more for their tax haven pile but is it really the route government should be going with taxpayers’ former property?
It is a particularly relevant question in the light of the forthcoming sale of the Herm lease.
On the evidence of Belvedere House, T&R will refuse to disclose ownership of that, too. The island was bought with the people’s money for the benefit of the Bailiwick but the department is predisposed to withhold details of the new operator.
If it isn’t, why the secrecy and double standards over Belvedere House?
Article posted on 18th July, 2008 - 2.40pm
One Article Comment
Bit of a bore really.
Prior to the recent elecdtion (and the one before that we had promises of more open and transpartent government.
Question. Are the civil servants ruling the roost, or are politicians being cynical in saying to get elected, when at the same time one time knowing it will not happen?
A good Comment that exposes the contempt some in Government have of their paymasters.