Difficult lessons must be learned
THE long-awaited inquiry into Carwyn Jones’ actions before and after the sacking of Carl Sargeant will not be held in public or open to the media.
The QC leading the inquiry, Paul Bowen, does not intend to make any public comment. He plans to publish his report into the First Minister’s handling of events surrounding the death of the former Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children “towards the end of the year”.
His decision to conduct the inquiry in private may well prove controversial. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry publishes evidence and transcripts of hearings into the harrowing disaster on its website; other high-profile inquiries into the Iraq War and Bloody Sunday featured public hearings that were reported in great detail.
However, Mr Bowen has said that his inquiry sessions will not be public because of “the sensitive nature of this investigation”.
He has no doubt weighed the pros and cons of having the hearings take place out of sight and beyond the earshot of the public. Mr Sargeant’s family have experienced anguish, and investigating the handling of allegations against the former Alyn and Deeside AM concerning his conduct towards women will require both forensic analysis and great sensitivity; he may well have calculated that in this instance he stands the best chance of obtaining the fullest understanding of the facts by switching off the glare of the spotlight.
Nevertheless, it is hard to overstate the significance of Mr Sargeant’s death to democratic life in Wales. It raises profound questions about how decisions are made at the top of devolved government and the roles of civil servants, appointees and political parties.
It has also confronted us with issues of wider relevance to Wales. There is deep concern about suicide rates, particularly among men, and a growing recognition that people need better support if they are wrestling with feelings of despair and desperation.
Rightly, in Wales and far beyond, there is a new determination to tackle all forms of sexual harassment. Ways must be found for organisations to investigate claims with rigour and fairness to all.
The final report may well prove an important contribution to public debates on all these urgent issues, and we hope there will be an expectation that evidence will be presented with the fullest possible candour.
It should also be noted that the investigation into the operations of the First Minister’s office is of direct relevance to the Labour leadership contest that is likely to have been completed by the time the report is published. Candidates can expect to be asked how they would hope to change the culture of Welsh politics but the inquiry will have a limited impact on this vital debate if hearings take place behind closed doors.
However, the paramount goal must be that the family and the nation gain the fullest picture of the truth and lessons, no matter how difficult, are learned.