Ombudsman unaware of extent of bias review leader's Labour links

Michelle Morris says the appointment was made "in good faith"

Wales' public services watchdog asked a top barrister to investigate political bias claims without being aware of all his Labour connections, she has said.

Welsh Conservatives had questioned the appointment of senior barrister James Goudie KC to lead the review.

An ex-Labour leader of Brent Council, he stood for Labour in a parliamentary election in north London in 1974.

On Tuesday, Public Services Ombudsman Michelle Morris said she did not know the extent of his previous activities.

Mr Goudie is also co-chair of the human rights sub-group at the Society of Labour lawyers, according to the organisation's website.

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On Monday Ms Morris said she would appoint a new person to lead the independent review commissioned after the resignation of ombudsman investigator Sinead Cook.

Ms Cook allegedly made comments on social media including one that used offensive language about Conservatives.

The review's remit will include an examination of cases where Ms Cook and her team decided not to investigate but will not look at cases previously investigated by former investigator.

Ms Morris told Tuesday's BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the aborted appointment was "obviously not the start I intended for this review - we made that appointment in good faith".

She said Mr Goudie had "40 years experience of knowledge of working in public law with local governments of all political persuasions across England and Wales".

"But it's become evident, over the last week, that people were calling into question that appointment because of his political activity going back some 45 years."

Asked if she had known he was a former Labour leader of Brent Council, a Labour parliamentary candidate in the 1970s and is also co-chair of the human rights sub-group at the Society of Labour lawyers, Ms Morris said: "I didn't know the full extent of his activities 45 years ago, no I didn't.

"I can see now that it would've been better if I'd had that full knowledge.

"What I'm stressing now is that I've been prepared to listen to the voices of concern and I do recognise the importance of undertaking a credible piece of work here and people having confidence in it."

"And that's why I've made that decision, and that announcement yesterday, to look for someone else."

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