July 15th; Following my own enquiries with the police commissioner's office I've been informed that the police are still carrying out the investigative assessment of the complaints, so this is still ongoing.
As eight weeks have now passed since I was informed by the chief executive's solicitors that he had reported me to the police, and as I have heard nothing since my enquiries with the police three weeks ago, I am understandably concerned and so asked them for a further update.
Clearly I am not really supposed to do this as I am not supposed to know that I am under investigation and the officer repeated his disquiet about 'the council' having told me.
Anyway, I do know, and although the officer in charge was tight-lipped I was informed that the matter is still ongoing. The police are again waiting for more 'documents' from 'the council'. Or at least that was what I was told.
This time I was told that the complaint relates to the 'ongoing' civil court action. This seems bizarre, was Mr James' (or 'the council's') original complaint too feeble for the police to take any action, so they're asking him to 'beef it up'? Or is Mr James himself drawing out the whole thing, and misusing the police, in a purely vexatious attempt to bolster his threatened High Court proceedings to his advantage?
Is the complaint so intertwined with the civil case that it is inseparable and is in fact a civil matter, not a police matter? Someone is having difficulties with this somewhere and it remains to be seen whether it will go anywhere.
As I have said, all this relates to the blog and I will, if I have to, vigorously defend all allegations, in a criminal or civil court, or both if it becomes necessary.
One other point I'd like to mention is that back in 2014, when Mr James went on gardening leave during the criminal investigation into the pension and libel indemnity scandals, Dyfed Powys Police decided that as they had a 'close working relationship' it would be proper to hand the investigation over to an outside force. Does that also apply in this case? How exactly does that 'close working relationship' come into play in this case? (Update 8th June; I understand questions have been put to Dyfed Powys Police regarding this point)
Incidentally, I am aware that six weeks ago this blog (three years worth of it) was printed out from a council computer, during working hours, clearly in relation to all this and not for a little light reading. So I hope the council don't try saying that this is a private matter as yet again council facilities and scarce resources are being deployed for highly questionable purposes.
As soon as I have any more information, it will be on the blog.
* * *
As eight weeks have now passed since I was informed by the chief executive's solicitors that he had reported me to the police, and as I have heard nothing since my enquiries with the police three weeks ago, I am understandably concerned and so asked them for a further update.
Clearly I am not really supposed to do this as I am not supposed to know that I am under investigation and the officer repeated his disquiet about 'the council' having told me.
Anyway, I do know, and although the officer in charge was tight-lipped I was informed that the matter is still ongoing. The police are again waiting for more 'documents' from 'the council'. Or at least that was what I was told.
This time I was told that the complaint relates to the 'ongoing' civil court action. This seems bizarre, was Mr James' (or 'the council's') original complaint too feeble for the police to take any action, so they're asking him to 'beef it up'? Or is Mr James himself drawing out the whole thing, and misusing the police, in a purely vexatious attempt to bolster his threatened High Court proceedings to his advantage?
Is the complaint so intertwined with the civil case that it is inseparable and is in fact a civil matter, not a police matter? Someone is having difficulties with this somewhere and it remains to be seen whether it will go anywhere.
As I have said, all this relates to the blog and I will, if I have to, vigorously defend all allegations, in a criminal or civil court, or both if it becomes necessary.
One other point I'd like to mention is that back in 2014, when Mr James went on gardening leave during the criminal investigation into the pension and libel indemnity scandals, Dyfed Powys Police decided that as they had a 'close working relationship' it would be proper to hand the investigation over to an outside force. Does that also apply in this case? How exactly does that 'close working relationship' come into play in this case? (Update 8th June; I understand questions have been put to Dyfed Powys Police regarding this point)
Incidentally, I am aware that six weeks ago this blog (three years worth of it) was printed out from a council computer, during working hours, clearly in relation to all this and not for a little light reading. So I hope the council don't try saying that this is a private matter as yet again council facilities and scarce resources are being deployed for highly questionable purposes.
As soon as I have any more information, it will be on the blog.
17 comments:
Curiouser and curiouser.The strain on your emotions must be unbearable and I so admire your determination to stay strong in spite of that man on gaol hill does.
Clearly Carmarthen County Council are answerable to nobody and the laws of this land do not apply to them. Surely the time is not too far away when there will be a full and transparent public inquiry into the underhand workings of certain public employees of Carmarthen Council?Cardiff Bay need to take some action and show some backbone to re-establish some faith and integrity in Carmarthen. Perhaps they are concerned that they too might also be threatened with publicly funded prosecutions for daring to criticise !
This whole sorry business is quite simply beyond belief.
I do not understand why these actions are being so relentlessly pursued, or what purpose the instigators believe such a process will serve.
I would urge you to take legal advice, if you have not already done so, in regard to this particular aspect, in order to establish that you are being treated fairly according to the protocols and standards that any police force must observe.
Really one would expect that Dyfed Powys police would prefer to be left to use their limited resources for the war on crime, and not on matters relating to a civil complaint or allegations - whatever they are.
What was a little worrying was how pleased the Dyfed-Powys Police panel Chair Andy Edwards was with the new Plaid PCC's commitment in regard to his new responsibilities & stated "The panel welcomed the commissioner's commitment to a more collegiate and collaborative approach with key partners......". One of those key partners is of course the Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) who as far as I can tell already has the Dyfed Powys Police (DPP) in it's pocket; though this seems not to have been the case with Christopher Salmon, ex PCC, who likened the CCC to a Cartel. Must have made things a little awkward as he may not have been singing as enthusiastically from the same page as the old Police Authority regarding the CCC but we may see the scratching of each others backs returning unabated according to the DPP&CP Chair. The people in Carmarthenshire have no chance of justice when the CCC act against their interests and squander the public purse. For Christopher Salmon to say what he did he must have been privy to some of the iffy methods of the CCC. Freedom of Speech and Expression is so important in putting the spotlight on iffy Public Bodies hence the (what appears to be happening) teaming up of the CCC & the DPP against someone who is doing just that. Our representatives put politics before our interests so I fear no change to Mark James & the CCCs continuing harassment of Jacqui!
personally I think you need to make a complaint via the IPCC. You have been informed that you are being investigated yet nothing appears to be happening - what are the Police doing.
You are also very perceptive about the relationship between the Police and CCC. If they reclused themselves from the previous matter surely they should do so on this occasion - especially as you seem to have evidence that the complaint isn't from Mr James personally but from the council as an entity ?
IPCC - they wont like it and will probably pull their fingers out !
Speak to you MP and AM about all this.
Seems the police have a problem in understanding how to deal with this complaint. Harassment is something that is causing alarm and distress, which requires a formal warning to desist following the complaint. As this wasn't done eight weeks ago when the complaint was made, clearly no one is actually suffering alarm and distress. The other option would be to try to stifle blog posts which is a freedom of speech issue, not a criminal offence but a civil matter and nothing to do with the police..
Ah, legal action. Unfortunately, Jacquie does not enjoy the protection of Carmarthen County Council and would have to fund it herself. Anyone know a pro bono lawyer who would like to get his or her teeth into this. Since the slashing of legal aid, few paople can resort to it, so that is not an easy avenue to pursue.
I share the disquiet that a local police force is helping a local council and its Chief Executive to pursue such a matter. If you don't see the police out on the streets, you know where they will be!
I so admire Jacquie's determination to see this through though I share Mrs Angry's concern at the toll this must be taking on her health.
It might be an idea to meet with the new Police and Crime Commissioner, after all he is supposed to be the conduit between the public and the police and to sort out this type of problem. This is something he should be aware of and helping in. It's appalling.
It"s Carmarthen - he probably plays golf with the Chief Constable and Mark James.
Don't presume problems...
He could well be a straigh down the line kind of guy. One is bound to slip into a position of power eventually...
He's a proud Dyfed Powys police insider and was the local Plaid Cymru candidate. In my mind, the likelihood that he is his own man tends towards zero...
Unfortunately I tend to agree with Ken Haylock, but there's only one way to find out, with nothing to lose. We did lose an honest and good man in Christopher Salmon, who had integrity, was his own man, hence the sour relationship he had with CCC. I'm very sorry he's gone and my hope is that the new PCC will continue to hold the council and the police to account. It's certainly worth a meeting with him.
On the other hand he could be as two faced as our current CCC Plaid inmates.
If so then there's a snowballs chance of assistace.
I hope I am wrong.
I have to ask where is Jacqui's A.M. or her M.P. in all of this? We have to presume they are nowhere to be seen or even heard. Why not? This is a huge part of the problem we have in Wales. When our representatives take no interest in our problems it leaves us with zero protection against such appalling conduct. Have they all forgotten who voted them in and what they are there for.
Another question "Where is Jacqui's County Councillor (CC)?" hasn't he/she any concerns. Jacqui herself is a Community Councillor & I wouldn't be surprised if her CC is one too. Trying to silence a CC's constituents is not very democratic after all & neither is not standing up for their rights. Whether a constituent voted for the CC or not makes no difference to the right of representation.
A rather belated comment, but I agree with the suggestions made. All available avenues should be pursued in an effort to bring this matter to a swift conclusion. It must be apparent to everyone, including the investigating officer and the senior officer in charge, that a police intervention at the behest of the Chief Executive and/or the County Council, into this tangled web presents a real risk that this is not a legitimate complaint of criminal activity, but an abuse of police authority for ulterior motives. The longer the matter drags on the greater the risk that such abuse will damage not only Jacqui but the credibility of the police as law enforcers and the less likely that justice will be served.
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