I MUST comment on the political and personal attacks by certain Gwent MPs regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ian Johnston was voted into office to represent all people of Gwent. MPs are also voted in and should be fair and even-handed. From the Blaenau Gwent MP re the Commissioner comes, “This is dreadful management of a public service”, and, “This is no way to run a whelk stall”.
Yet recently his local council was heavily criticised by the Welsh Audit Office for its overall performance.
The Caerphilly MP queries the cost of the chief constable’s severance package. No mention of the rumoured £250,000 it is likely to cost ratepayers over illegal pay rises for his local council’s chief officers.
From the Newport West MP comes, “A very uninspiring person”. Could this be because the PCC tells the facts as they are, straight, and with no political flannel. These attacks started and continued from the moment that their preferred candidate lost the election.
I end with a recent quote from the South Wales Argus Editor. “Perhaps it is time we all let him (Ian Johnston) get on with his job.”
Michael Johnson
Denbigh Close Blackwood
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