| Spending watchdog is spent |
| Tuesday, 30 October 2007 | |
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John Pugh has described the resignation of Sir John Bourn from his position as head of the National Audit Office - the government spending watchdog - as ' the right decision'. Sir John announced his retirement on October 25th following months of adverse publicity surrounding his and Lady Bourn's travelling and entertaining expenses which reached over £300,000 in 3 years. Sir John who prepares value for money reports for the Commons influential Public Acounts Committee had according to John Pugh ,a member of the committee, the work of the committee more questionable. The committee cross examines civil servants on the use of taxpayers money with Sir John Bourn present and informing the process. After John Pugh had called for a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee to confront the issue (a  Financial section, Daily Mail: 16th Oct "Sir John's position was unsustainable. Ribald jokes about his and Lady Bourn's travel and dining arrangements were circulating Whitehall. Added to which the acceptance of generous hospitality from controversial firms involved in government contracts he reviewed such as QinetiQ and BAE was raising eyebrows. Sir John's integrity may not have been in any doubt but I do question his wisdom and his capacity to carry on as the scourge of Whitehall overspending." See also: BBC News 24 |