HER Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland is to examine the resignation of a former board member of the policing watchdog who claimed she quit after being silenced.
HMICS, which is led by Derek Penman, said of Moi Ali’s decision to stand down from the Scottish Police Authority:
“Mr Penman is aware of the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Moi Ali and will consider any relevant concerns that have been raised as part of the planned HMICS inspection of the SPA.”
The SPA is the oversight body for Police Scotland but has itself attracted criticism in recent weeks for an alleged lack of openness.
A new SPA “governance framework” states that committees should be held in private and papers for public session should only be available on the morning of the meeting.
At the December meeting of the SPA, Ms Ali criticised the two proposals and asked for her opposition to be made clear in the official minute.
However, days later SPA chair Andrew Flanagan sent Ms Ali a letter expressing dismay about her public criticism of the recommendations.
He wrote that individual board members who shared public disagreements would normally consider resigning. Mr Flanagan also said that, given her opposition to private meetings, it would not be fair for her to participate on the SPA committees. Ms Ali then quit.
She said last week: “I felt I had to do it because there is a really important principle at stake, and that principle is that I believe board members have a duty to provide challenge in a public forum. If dissent is only allowed privately, then I think decision making becomes shrouded in a kind of fog.”
She added: “I felt that I could not any longer go to a board meeting where I felt I could freely express my views. It was made very clear to me that public dissent would not be accepted.”
HMICS, which provides scrutiny of the SPA and the single force, has already criticised the proposal to hold meetings behind closed doors.
A planned inspection of the SPA will now include the concerns raised by Ms Ali.
Penman said: “Publicly appointed board members must have the confidence to offer their opinions freely and it should be the responsibility of chairs to create a positive culture within boards that encourage healthy debate and diversity of thinking.”
“While boards should function effectively and be cohesive, there needs to be a shared understanding amongst members of what constitutes collective responsibility, confidentiality and dissent. Where disagreements arise, then these should be resolved using the appropriate guidance and follow due process."
“It is important for public confidence that the scrutiny of policing is not only effective, but seen to be effective and that constructive challenge and differences in views amongst members can be discussed openly. Otherwise, public meetings may appear to lack rigour.”
Ali said: “I welcome Derek Penman’s involvement. He will bring an objective perspective and I have confidence he will be able to work with the SPA on governance.”
Douglas Ross, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, said: “So many issues have been raised about how the SPA conduct their meetings since Andrew Flannagan undertook his governance review. HMICS previously highlighted concerns and the First Minister said in Parliament that meetings must be more transparent but still the chair seems to ignore these warnings.
“There are huge issues facing the SPA and Police Scotland and the public should have faith in the way the SPA are conducting their vital scrutiny role, at present that confidence is lacking.
Scottish Liberal Democrats Liam McArthur MSP said:
"The HMICS needs to make sure that the Police Authority works to basic democratic principles. The public need to be able to see what decisions are being made on their behalf. At the moment the Policy Authority is limiting public access. The resignation of Moi Ali is a worrying development that needs to be examined."
A spokesperson for the SPA said: "HMICS is fully aware of the circumstances of Ms Ali's resignation and to date has raised no issues with the Chair of the SPA in relation to them."
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