Transparency Essential for Public Confidence

Ian Johnston made his comments following a Home Office review which found that he and his team are fully meeting all transparency requirements.

The Elected Local Policing Bodies' Specified Information Order places a duty on the Police and Crime Commissioner and his office to publish certain information for the public and for that information to be frequently reviewed.

The requirements include information about who they are and what they do, what they spend and how they spend it, what their priorities are, how they make their decisions and information around complaints, policies and procedures.

A recent review by the Home Office confirmed that Gwent PCC Ian Johnston and his office are fully compliant with all of the requirements of the Specified Information Order.

The review follows another separate report issued recently by The Home Affairs Select Committee which raised concerns that some Commissioners in the UK were still failing to meet their transparency requirements.

Responding to the review, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: "Transparency is essential as I am held to account at a local level by the public. It has been important to me from day one as Commissioner to be as open and transparent as possible and that all relevant disclosures regarding gifts and hospitality, expenses and disclosable interests are published as regularly as possible in line with the specified requirements. I also ensure that all of my decisions are published on my website, over and above what is required legally, showing a clear and auditable trail for the public so they can have full confidence in the work that I do on their behalf."