The Head of Investigations at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has resigned after being proven to have expressed political bias, having posted derogatory social media comments including “f*ck the Tories”.
The Ombudsman’s office is expected to conduct itself with dignity, respect and fairness. It’s clear that the former Head of Investigation fell far short of the standard required.
In the Senedd on Wednesday (17/04/24), the Welsh Conservatives are bringing forward a motion calling for a review into the operations, processes and investigations carried out by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to ensure confidence from the public, and impartiality and fairness are always present.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Local Government Minister, Sam Rowlands MS, said:
“The hateful comments from someone with such seniority in the Ombudsman office were shocking and it was deeply concerning that such a prejudicial attitude was on display, especially when the expectation of the office is to conduct itself with dignity, respect and fairness.
“Whilst it is welcome that the person in question was suspended, and consequently resigned, it raises the question of her past discretions and the oversight of the organisation.
“Being a former Labour Council leader, former Labour candidate and a former Chair of the Society of Labour lawyers, the appointment of James Goudie KC to lead the review into the Public Services Ombudsman raises serious doubts about its credibility.”
The motion which will be debated on Wednesday reads:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes the resignation of the Head of Investigations at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
2. Expresses its concern that the political impartiality of the Office of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has been compromised.
3. Notes that:
a) the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has appointed a senior barrister to investigate allegations of political impartiality;
b) the person appointed is James Goudie KC.
4. Does not believe that the appointment is appropriate given that James Goudie KC is a former Labour parliamentary candidate, a former chairman of the Society of Labour Lawyers, a former Labour spokesman for Legal Affairs in the House of Lords, and a former Labour leader of Brent Council.
5. In accordance with Standing Order 17.2, instructs the relevant Senedd committee to urgently review the operations, processes and investigations carried out by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to ensure:
a) that impartiality and fairness are present throughout the employment of the former Head of Investigations;
b) that the Senedd can have confidence that the office is able to undertake future investigations with impartiality and fairness;
6. Calls upon the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to disclose the terms of the departure of the former Head of Investigations, in the interest of public scrutiny.
