ONE of the things that surprises outsiders when they meet a group of island States members ‘in action’ is just how personally abusive they can be towards each other.

Not all of them, but those who have fallen out with their colleagues can be remorseless in pursuing their various vendettas.

That is one reason why the tribunal of inquiry into the airport firefighter dispute is going ahead and why the now infamous ‘we’ve got him…’ remark was heard from the members’ room in the States apparently aimed at the chief minister, responsible for kick-starting a return to work by the men.

What is certain is that the review will be a complete waste of money. Yes, the whole affair was lamentably poorly handled but who is to blame is an academic affair and certainly not worth the £250,000 price tag put upon it.

The Public Sector Remuneration Committee was, collectively, a dead man walking after being shredded by the Robinson report on the role of the States as employer, yet another critical independent review of government deficiencies.

Its members’ days were numbered and their protest resignation over the airport dispute merely pre-dated what would effectively have been their dismissal. While there are other issues involved, none are worth the expense and legalities that will be involved in the tribunal.

Perhaps oddly, since this is supposedly all about transparency, one of the leading supporters of the tribunal is opposed to a full independent but confidential review of the Women’s Refuge, the board of which she chairs.

Its members are individuals of standing and if they are happy with the governance, that should be the end of it – except they benefit from public money and accommodation.

There cannot be two standards of transparency, especially as it means that a States department is considering legislation to impose scrutiny when it should be volunteered.

If a ‘hands off’ approach is so vital to the refuge board – knowing that it takes responsibility for the good running of the place – that’s fine.

But it has to relinquish States money and property or abide by its rules.