The following letter has this evening (Thursday 25 June) been sent to the Police and Crime Panel by the Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader:
PCC STATEMENT TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE & CRIME PANEL RE TODAY’S LEICESTER MERCURY ARTICLE AND THE SUBSEQUENT PANEL MEETING
I would like this Panel and the public to be aware that I feel deeply offended that news of my ill-health appears to have been deliberately leaked to the media in advance of today’s panel meeting.
The information about my health was properly disclosed (with my express permission) by my Chief Executive and my Chief Finance Officer in complete confidence to the Chairman of this Panel and the Democratic Services Officer on Tuesday this week. The Chairman gave his word that he would treat this information in total confidence until my letter was read out at today’s panel meeting and would not speak to anyone about it.
Yet, yesterday (Wednesday) morning I received a telephone call from the leader of Leicestershire County Council who had clearly been well briefed and who not only knew my intention to invite this Panel to appoint Paul Stock as the Acting PCC, but urged me to take a different course of action.
Then, on the afternoon of the same day, I was contacted several times by a reporter from the Leicester Mercury (who also sought information from my office at Force Headquarters). The reporter said he had been briefed by “two or three reliable sources” that I was unwell. Indeed, he clearly knew the details of my medical condition, and was aware of my intentions to make a statement to today’s panel meeting and what that statement would say. Furthermore, he said he was so sure of his sources that he was not seeking confirmation, but merely a comment.
I would very much like to know how information given in confidence two days ago became known not only to partner agencies but to the media and the wider public in advance of today’s panel meeting.
This outrageous breach of confidence has caused me and my wife considerable distress and anger. Accordingly, I now invite members of the Panel to commission an immediate independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this breach of trust and confidence.
Naturally I am extremely disappointed for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that the panel felt unable to support with immediate effect my recommendation to approve the appointment of my Chief Executive Officer as the Acting PCC for the period whilst I am off work.
Posted on Monday 9th May 2016