No further comment....

An Australian News story running recently
[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23597215-5003416,00.html]

noted that:

THERE was a Pythonesque moment in the State Government's wordy submission to the Freedom of Information inquiry last week. When asked to answer questions about a culture of concealment in the public service, the whole-of-government response was, "No comment." If the public has a right to know, then Freedom of Information reform is vital in ensuring information flows freely. Yet all we get is a "no comment". This from the same government that espouses openness and accountability.

Bear that in mind, when considering the following.

The JEP carried the story (see below) today that Joe Kennedy is to resume his duties after his suspension.

I note that the findings of the enquiry are not public because this is "a personal staff matter". There is no information about who carried out the investigation, whether it was really external or internal (Yes, Minister is full of cases of "full enquiries") .The statement is not available on the www.gov.je website here, so the JEP quote is all we have to go on.

When Joe was originally suspended, the press release said:

"The disciplinary process is to investigate specific new evidence relating to the behaviour of the member of staff, which came to light during the recent employment tribunal. It is not appropriate for the States of Jersey to comment upon this matter during the management investigation, but we can confirm that this will begin within the next few days and is likely to be concluded within the next fortnight."

So Joe Kennedy was suspended for reasons that were vague and unspecified, and after an enquiry, the results of which are again extremely vague, he is restored to his post.

"Following an independent investigation and internal procedure, the employee of the Health and Social Services Department employed in Residential, Secure Services has returned to full duties, with matters which led to the employee's suspension now resolved. As this is a personal staff matter no further comment will be made."

Is it any wonder that the idea that there is a "culture of concealment" is so popular?

This is certainly not transparent government, this press release with its "no further comment" only confirms that it is again there is a strong desire to control information, which may well not be in the public interest. Whether it is or not remains uncertain, because there is no information on which the public can base their opinions.

Government by secrecy, when the matters resolved are controversial, is never a good idea if public confidence is to be restored. A lesson that is yet to be learnt.

Remember the Australian news story. Is there a culture of concealment? No further comment!


Suspended manager back at work today

By Elaine Byrne
FORMER Greenfields manager Joe Kennedy is back at work today having been suspended for two months.
It is understood that he was suspended as a result of evidence that was given at an employment tribunal in March.

An Employment Tribunal heard in March that Mr Kennedy was accused of 'bullying and persecuting' sacked social worker Simon Bellwood. That tribunal ended after the States dropped their case and offered to pay Mr Bellwood the full unfair dismissal settlement that he was seeking.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister's communications unit yesterday said: 'Following an independent investigation and internal procedure, the employee of the Health and Social Services Department employed in Residential, Secure Services has returned to full duties, with matters which led to the employee's suspension now resolved. As this is a personal staff matter no further comment will be made.'

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/05/20/suspended-manager-back-at-work-today/