THE chief minister said his intention not to appear at a local select committee’s inquiry was based on legal advice.
Responding to a question from Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher at last week’s States meeting, Deputy Lyndon Trott said he would not have attend an inquiry into airport firefighters’ strike if the Scrutiny Committee had conducted it.
Scrutiny chairman Barry Brehaut (pictured) said he was disappointed with Deputy Trott’s stance.
‘The message from the chief minister is that he is prepared to appear in front of the UK Treasury select committee but is reluctant to appear before a local one,’ said Deputy Brehaut.
‘In Guernsey we have a select committee process, Scrutiny and Public Accounts, and the same courtesy should be extended to them.
‘I want Scrutiny to work and to be successful without using the call-in provision. It’s the preferred method for people to volunteer willingly. If you have to summon someone you are already subtly changing the dynamic of the meeting.’
He said the question was whether Scrutiny was independent as it consisted of politicians, but there was nothing wrong with politicians scrutinising other politicians.
But Deputy Trott said the message from HM Comptroller [then delegate] Advocate Richard McMahon had been clear. A Scrutiny Committee review would clearly fail the test of ‘being seen to have and indeed having total independence’.
‘The point I made in the debate was that it would be wholly unacceptable for a Scrutiny review to purport to meet the independence test,’ Deputy Trott said.
* An independent tribunal of inquiry will be held later in the year.
Article posted on 2nd November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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