Auditor General Scolds Would-Be Witness for Senate Hearing

This past Wednesday, the final public hearing of the Senate Special Select Committee on Immigration before a one-month hiatus was abruptly canceled over lack of consensus as to the necessity and propriety of interviewing three senior auditors of the Supreme Audit Institution. The potential witnesses were part of the investigative team that conducted an audit of the Immigration and Nationality Department between 2011 and 2013.  But does Auditor General Dorothy Bradley believe that she has sole responsibility for responding to any questions concerning the report? Yes, according to a letter addressed to one of Wednesday’s planned witnesses, Supervisor of Audit Jennifer Myvett obtained by News Five and dated on the day of the aborted hearing. According to Bradley, while the office does not object to the summons itself, anyone responding from the institution other than Bradley would be in violation the Public Service Regulations and Audit’s code of conduct, not to mention placing the office in a potential conflict of interest. Bradley also accuses Myvett and other witness as having demonstrated, on many occasions, disregard for her office. The letter closes by warning Myvett that her questionable behaviour will be forwarded to the Public Services Commission for further action. It is not known whether the other potential witnesses received similar letters. The hearings resume in September.