Potential conflict of interest on track in Assembly Government
An assembly government civil servant in charge of monitoring a rail franchise is in a relationship with a top train boss, it has emerged.
The senior official, Alison Teague, is responsible for monitoring the £100m Arriva Trains Wales franchise for the assembly government, and is said to be living with the Managing Director of Arriva Trains Wales, Tim Bell, who was appointed last December.
Opposition assembly members are demanding a meeting with the assembly government about the issue. But the assembly government said stringent processes are in place to avoid any conflict of interest issues.
The assembly government needs to explain whether it thinks this position is appropriate given the size of the Arriva Trains Wales franchise.
I am seeking an urgent meeting with the transport minister to discuss this situation... I am confident guidance is in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts.
I find it incredible that the minister could think it acceptable that the official with responsibility for ensuring value for money for the taxpayer from the subsidies received by Arriva Trains Wales shares a home with the boss of the company.
Whatever procedures are in place, and whatever the integrity of the individuals in question, there is a clear conflict of interest, which raises questions in people's minds.
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5 comments:
I am shocked - SHOCKED - shocked, I tell you by the sheer arrogance of the Welsh Assembly Government in this matter. What next?
"Arriva Trains Wales understands that the Welsh Assembly Government was made aware of this matter when Tim Bell was appointed managing director and has put processes into place to avoid potential conflict of interest."
That seems to put the blame firmly in the hands of government officials. Incompetent, the lot of them!
This is a poor defence from WAG. Whatever were they thinking of?
Hands on monitoring indeed.
It's almost as if they are looking for criticism.
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