IF FURTHER proof were needed that yet another part of the island’s government is in serious need of reform it came with today’s news that the Home Department must reconvene its police appeals panel.

The silver lining that it might, just might, come to a right and proper conclusion second time around is tarnished by the painful realisation that our government looks foolish in the extreme.

What, for example, must the investigating officers of the Devon and Cornwall force make of the whole charade?

Not only has a lay panel disregarded its independent conclusions and sought to dump a tarnished officer back into the ranks, but they give no reasons for doing so.

What’s more, Home were so incapable of understanding rules and regulations that they even broke their own.

If it were not for the devastating impact such incompetence is having on the lives of PC Stuart Allan, Rosemarie Holt and their families it would be farce to the point of humour.

Instead, it is just plain, avert-your-eyes, embarrassing.

That Home’s minister has decided to take the mistake on the chin and accept full blame does at least regain some credit from this mess. Too often, the island’s politicians are reluctant to take responsibility for mistakes, preferring to hide behind the skirts of anonymous civil servants.

It is a small relief though.

For where does this process go from here? With Home quickly running out of bona-fide States members, common sense is left pinning its hopes on two deputies who have yet to cover themselves in glory.

If a lay panel has to sit – and the value of that must be in doubt after this episode – how much better it would be for three fresh sets of eyes to go over the evidence.

Three new deputies, untainted by previous views, would bring some fresh air to a stale process.

That would probably be most easily achieved with deputies outside of Home and distanced from the local police force.

Ironically, that would be against the rules.