Assembly Senior Civil Servant Accused

The Wales on Sunday, Daily Mail and South Wales Echo have reported in the last few days on a civil court action concerning two Assembly civil servants in relation to sexual harrassment and assault.

I'm disturbed by the following statement:

An internal investigation was carried out by the Assembly Government after Mrs Davies filed a complaint in September 2003. Mr Evans was cleared after the inquiry concluded there was insufficient evidence against him.

Internal investigation! If accusations are made and a crime has allegedly been committed then the police should've been informed. It should distress staff and the wider public that such organisations can try to take matters into their own hands.

Call me an old fashioned girl, but I thought it was up to the police to examine all the evidence and to determine whether or not a crime has been committed - then take the appropriate action. It shouldn't even be an internal disciplinary matter to begin with. Organisations shouldn't try to take these matters into their own hands, even if their intentions are honourable to begin with, as it just looks as it they are attempting a cover up in the long run.

Whether a crime has or hasn't been committed in this case, a civil court action doesn't suffice and something should've been done nearer to the time of the alleged incident(s). Because of the actions of the organisation and the lack of action from both individuals at the time, we have now experienced a trial by media and speculation.

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Update: The BBC and Western Mail have reported that Mr Evans has been ordered to pay damages for sexually harassing a female colleague. Judge Curran QC said Mr Evans' assertion that Mrs Davies had conspired with a colleague to invent the story "bore all the marks of desperation".

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Mrs Davies said she complained to senior assembly officials who launched an internal investigation into her claims. But the court heard officials took no further action against Mr Evans because of "insufficient evidence". She resigned from her job on medical grounds.

An assembly spokesman said he could not comment on the case or confirm whether any action would be taken against Mr Evans.