West Yorkshire PCC defends staff appointments
The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for West Yorkshire has been challenged over the appointments of some of his senior members of staff by MPs.
The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for West Yorkshire has been challenged over the appointments of some of his senior members of staff by MPs.
The chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC), Keith Vaz, raised concerns over the appointment of Isabel Owen, the deputy to Mark Burns-Williamson, pointing out that she was married to the chairman of the regional branch of the Labour Party.
Mr Burns-Williamson replied that he has only known Ms Owen since September/ October last year. He defended his choice saying she is someone of a lot of ability and that was evidenced in the process, which was robust in terms of the appointment panel that I set up.
During the course of the meeting, Mr Burns-Williamson was also questioned about his choice of research director the former Labour councillor Henri Murison. However, Mr Burns-Williamson said he was not involved in the selection process and pointed out that Mr Murison was well qualified for the position.
Mr Vaz expressed his concern over the practice among some PCCs to appoint into paid positions people who had worked on their campaigns and asked Mr Burns-Williamson whether he thought that was normal practice.
Another member of HASC, Mr Michael Ellis, said it is all about perception and asked whether an equally-qualified candidate who happened to be a Conservative would have automatically been disqualified because you are appointing on the basis of political partisanship. Mr Burns-Williamson said the post was open to anyone to apply; if they had scored the highest on the interview process, they would have got the job.
Mr Ellis also questioned Ms Owens appointment, pointing out that it had been said at the West Yorkshire police and crime panel (PCP) that she knew little about policing. However, Mr Burns-Williamson said her credentials were put before the PCP and it endorsed her appointment. He added that he thought the term deputy is misleading as he was told the position is one of a political adviser in all but name.