Thursday 20 April 2017

'In The Gutter' - Mark James back in Private Eye


The latest edition of Private Eye features further national recognition for Carmarthenshire Council and Mr James CBE. This is the third mention this year alone in the Rotten Boroughs column...a hat trick for 2017.

Rotten Boroughs, Private Eye No.1442

I have written to my MP and AM, Jonathan Edwards and Adam Price seeking their views on Mr James' 'change of mind' and whether they are prepared to challenge him in any way, or at least flag it up with the Wales Audit Office. After all, part of the council's justification (Mr James' justification in fact, as he approved and contributed to the report before the Exec Board even saw it) for giving him the unlawful blank cheque was that he would hand over any damages to the council.

In my opinion, aside from the vindictive actions by Mr James, there has been a massive breach of trust and yet another question mark placed squarely over his integrity.  Any other employee would have found themselves sat in front of a disciplinary panel by now, or worse.
Neither Mr Edwards or Mr Price have responded yet.
I also understand that anyone asking for a comment from Mr James on these matters, is now directed to his solicitors.

As for the police, I still haven't heard anything since being interviewed under caution on the 16th March, five weeks ago. So much for "you'll hear in a week or so". Whether the police decide to take further action or not, the details of the allegations made against me will become apparent in due course.

Mr James has insisted that the police investigate me on and off for fifteen months. Given his close working relationship with the force I would have thought he would have been well aware of their limited resources, and that their time would be better spent elsewhere rather than poring over this blog for hours. (Update 22nd April; I've been informed that the police are preparing a file for the CPS)

Update 12:39; There is an article concerning Mr James' intentions regarding the damages in today's Western Mail, it is not yet online. Council leader Emlyn Dole, choosing his words carefully, states that he hopes Mr James will consider honouring his promise to hand over the damages to the council...once he has recouped his £14k costs.

The previous mentions in Private Eye (in 2017) are here, (the national accolade) and here.
Earlier posts on the court hearing are here, and here.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You might not get far with Adam Price as it seems the official Plaid, head-in-the-sand line on CCC for the local elections is that “…to the credit of Plaid Councillors they put the public interest first and in less than two years they have fulfilled their promise of restring the good name of Carmarthenshire.” This is repeated in the election literature of the Plaid candidate standing in my ward.

However his opponent, the sitting independent councillor, appears equally ostrich-like as he told me that he was totally unaware that of Mr James’ undertakings re his damages.

Looks like normal service will resumed at CCC after the 4th of May.

Martin Milan said...

You know, isn't it odd how every time the police have anything to do with Jacqui, it always takes longer than it would with anyone else. Almost like there is something going on behind the scenes that doesn't happen on most "regular" cases...

Jacqui, I think we're well past the point where a polite enquiry as to whether any decisions have been taken could be seen as unreasonable...

Tessa said...

It is much easier to look the other way, especially if you're a "career" politician, or a paid official. Head down, pick up the cash, hopefully never have to deal with anything difficult. Because you'll be outside of your comfort zone, and have to challenge someone who may make you look a fool at best, or destroy your career - or successfully sue you in court at worst. It is this culture of timidity that has allowed the piss to be ripped by one official who ISN'T afraid, who dares and therefore can do as he likes, and becomes madder and more extreme because this remains a successful strategy for him, with no boundaries. Simple psychology. Look at all extreme ("great") leaders throughout history. They are not sane in the same way as the rest of us.

Verity said...

The definition of a narcissistic personality is an interesting area of research.

Anonymous said...

According to the Plaid Carmarthenshire website: -


Since taking over the leadership of Carmarthenshire County Council in 2015, Plaid Cymru–The Party of Wales has "restored the council’s reputation" and set the county on the road to a prosperous and secure future.

WHAT A LOAD OF BULL**** !!!!

Are they dreaming or just telling porky-pies ?

Should have read "council's reputation now worse than ever and set the county on the road to bankruptcy"

Anonymous said...

Bit of a tough year for old james this year.

The court has reduced his payout, Private Eye bestows more awards and the police drag their heels over Jacqui's water boarding.

Never mind, elections are coming which will soothe all that pain with a little £48k donation to the holiday fund away from the riff raff...

Tessa said...

@ 20 April 2017 at 18:22 yes absolutely.
@ 20 April 2017 at 23:30 - haaaa ha ha ha!

(God almighty Caebrwyn, "proving I'm not a robot" is harder than the Mensa test!)

caebrwyn said...

Thank you Tessa, sorry about that, yes it's a bit of a palaver! Unfortunately it's necessary to try and stop the spammers

Mrs Angry said...

The failure of the police to deal with these unspecified allegations in a reasonable time frame, or to keep you informed about progress, after stating you would hear weeks ago, is unacceptable. I hope that your solicitor is going to ask for an explanation. I would otherwise consider making a formal complaint.

Anonymous said...

I think you can forget about your M.P. (Plaid) and your A.M. (Plaid) giving any support or making their voice heard on your behalf, which is very much part of why they were elected in the first place, as they have clearly forgotten how to serve the electorate and what their actual role is as a politician. They have badly let you down and been a bloody let down all round. I certainly won't be voting Plaid come the general elections. They are just in it for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Emlyn two barns Dole Plaid, appears to have found his voice - you know the one that opposed the unscrupulous conduct of his CEO relative to the unlawful indemnity. Where did it go when he became Leader and a friend of dear Mark, and has it been found due to the elections. Question is, and the answer is probably yes, will it go again when they are all over???

Verity said...

I wasn't going to bother to vote in the local elections but I notice that there's a new, completely unknown independent candidate standing in my ward. I haven't got a clue who he is or what he stands for but he's getting my vote because he can't be worse than the only other choice I've got which is the party which has apparently "restored the council's reputation" ...... WHAT???

The blinkin' nerve of it. How dare they make a statement like that when they have done nothing of the sort: Cllr Dole and his merry men and women have just rolled over to do as they're told by the Chief Exec.

Martin Milan said...

Careful Verity - make sure it's an actual independent and not merely a member of the independent party...

Clear as mud I know...

caebrwyn said...

@Mrs Angry
After enquiries made today, I understand that Dyfed Powys Police are preparing a file for the Crown
Prosecution Service.

Anonymous said...

The lengths this CEO has gone to punish you beggars belief. His conduct must be questioned as well his motives. This is far from normal behaviour and unbefitting of a Chief Executive Officer. Is he going to get the police to investigate all blogs that have made criticism, and what about Private Eye Mr. James??
We know he threatened local press years ago, when will he stop. He needs help.

Anonymous said...

The police might be attempting to put a case together for the CPS - but this doesn't mean the CPS will charge you. They have to fulfil criteria that 1. it is in the public interest 2. it is in the interest of the public purse 3. will they have a high percentage chance of getting a conviction. Any person who has been following this case will believe none of the three criteria will stand up. It is being pursued by one person - a person who has an agenda of vengeance.
It is shocking the police are fuelling this vendetta.