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As Policy and Resources welcomes a Scrutiny-led review of the way a new Head of Curriculum and Standards was appointed in Guernsey, one of Education's most vocal critics says he wants the UK's Ministry of Justice to get involved.
Deputy Carl Meerveld emailed Education, Sport and Culture President, Deputy Matt Fallaize earlier this week to suggest the MoJ undertake an investigation.
The email was in reply to a previous message, sent to all deputies and the Express and Guernsey Press newsrooms.
Deputy Meerveld said; "...having given it much thought, maybe Scrutiny and/or Deputies should request that the UK Ministry of Justice undertake this investigation?
"As the President of P&R and the Chief Executive of the Civil Service were copied into the incriminating from Deputy Matt Fallaize and purportedly Deputy St Pier personally intervened an independent external investigation will delver a more open and transparent assessment (free of local influence) and will be more likely to put the electorate's minds at ease.
"There is a precedent for this as the Ministry of Justice have conducted an inquiry into the Chief Please (sic) administration of Sark during our political term."
Deputy Matt Fallaize responded to this email saying that he respects the right to put such a proposal to the States, if Deputy Meerveld can secure the provisional agreement of the MoJ to intervene. He added; "I think my Committee's response to your proposal is best left for such a debate, if there is to be one."
Pictured: The President of ESC, Deputy Matt Fallaize.
Since that emailed was shared on Tuesday night, a statement has been released by P&R saying it welcomes a Scrutiny-led review of the situation involving the recruitment of Clare Sealy to a newly created role within ESC.
"This is a way forward that the Policy & Resources Committee fully supports and will readily work with to ensure all of the facts can be clearly and independently established," said P&R.
"After this process has concluded it is hoped the States and the public can have a clear, informed account of how the recruitment process was carried out. Until such a time, any attempt to draw any conclusions is premature. At this stage, there is no independent account of the events surrounding the appointment and the Policy & Resources Committee would strongly urge all interested parties against drawing conclusions based only on comments and claims made through the media.
"Any judgements should be reserved until the Scrutiny-led review has reached its conclusions and made recommendations. In the meantime, Scrutiny’s decision to announce the review allows States Members to return their focus to the pressing matters facing the Assembly, including consideration of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture’s policy letter ahead of the debate in early September."
P&R's letter to the President of the Scrutiny Management Committee can be read in full here.
Pictured top: Deputies Matt Fallaize, Carl Meerveld, Gavin St Pier.
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