PCC accused of ‘serious error of judgment’

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens demonstrated a “serious error of judgement” and breached her Code of Conduct by revealing the identity of a whistleblower to the chief constable at the centre of misconduct allegations.

That is the view of the Avon and Somerset Police Crime Panel, which published the results of its findings into the leaking of the whistleblower’s name.

The panel, made up of councillors from around the region and charged with scrutinising the performance of the PCC, said it was “regrettable” that Mountstevens issued a public apology before the end of its investigationMountstevens issued a public apology before the end of its investigation.

Mountstevens revealed to the chief constable Nick Gargan the name of someone who had made a complaint against him, before he was suspended after allegations he made inappropriate advances to female staff.

She said she had “made a mistake” and had “written to the individual concerned to apologise for the distress I caused”.

The Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel said the Commissioner’s Office did not admit to the disclosure for several months and that the issue was compounded when their identity became known to several news agencies.

The panel referred the complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who sais there were insufficient grounds to suspect that a criminal offence may have been committed.  The IPCC referred thecomplaint back to the panel for informal resolution. 

Cllr Nigel Ashton, leader of North Somerset Council and chairman of the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel, said: “A complainant provided sensitive and personal information to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and in doing so had a reasonable expectation of privacy. The panel has found that the commissioner demonstrated a serious error of judgement, not only in revealing their identity but by doing so to the person at the centre of the allegations.

“The panel has recommended to the commissioner that all staff in her office are familiar with and trained where appropriate in the key policies and procedures which underpin the standards of behaviour expected of her staff. This includes the Whistleblowing Policy and Staff Code of Conduct.

“In publishing this information we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to holding those in public office to account. 

“We acknowledge that the commissioner has publicly and privately apologised for her actions, though it is regrettable that the commissioner chose to issue a public statement before the process concluded.

“In response I must underline that we take this matter very seriously and consider her lapse in judgement to be serious. Ultimately Police and Crime Commissioners are accountable to the public at the ballot box, and in publishing our findings we are ensuring that people are aware of our stance on this incident.”