Second police boss facing calls to quit
THE boss of Scotland’s beleaguered police watchdog faced calls to quit last night after a report savaged the body’s ‘fundamental weakness’.
Scottish Police Authority (SPA) chief executive John Foley – who earns up to £120,000 a year – and senior managers were accused of ‘shortcomings’ in their ability to provide ‘expert advice’ to the quango’s board.
The broadside came in a devastating review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS).
It identified ‘dysfunction’ in the relationship between Mr Foley and outgoing chairman Andrew Flanagan, who quit last week after allegations he was a bully who ran the quango like the Kremlin.
HMICS criticised the practice of only publishing important documents that were to be discussed by the board in public on the day of the meetings to try to limit negative media coverage. Some key meetings were also in private.
Last night, Scottish Labour justice spokesman Claire Baker said: ‘A complete overhaul of the management structure at the SPA is now needed and the chief executive must consider his position.’
Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Oliver Mundell said: ‘Issues of governance and accountability can no longer be ignored. The chair has already left and, in the wake of this damning report, perhaps the chief executive should reflect on his position.’
The report welcomed Justice Secretary Michael Matheson’s announcement of a review of how the SPA board can be bettersupported and made 11 further recommendations. The inspection was carried out to assess openness and transparency at the SPA amid concerns from the Scottish parliament’s justice subcommittee on policing and public audit committee. Among the issues considered was the handling of the resignation of board member Moi Ali, who claimed Mr Flanagan bullied her out of her role.
The inspection said she acted in accordance with guidance for board members but found no evidence of a ‘bullying culture’.
HMICS found evidence of improvement in SPA operations but concluded the recent decision to move back to public meetings ‘has been made reluctantly’.
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Derek Penman, who will give evidence at Holyrood’s justice subcommittee on policing today, said: ‘While there have been positive improvements... the recent parliamentary scrutiny and media concerns over openness and transparency have weakened confidence in the SPA.’
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, acting convener of the public audit committee, said: ‘It’s now time for the SPA to embrace these recommendations.’
Mr Flanagan said: ‘Two charges levelled at the SPA in recent months is that we were creating an organisation to keep secrets and inappropriately taking decisions behind closed doors. The inspection report contains no evidence or findings that would support either of those accusations.’
The SPA will meet in public today in Edinburgh.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘I expect these findings to be acted upon.’
‘Should reflect on his position’