Notes

Question 1
Consider the following examples of decisions and actions taken by Westminster and Holyrood. Do these decisions and actions adhere to the “good governance values” listed above? Can you think of any other examples of good (or bad) governance from either Westminster or Holyrood?
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempted to install Chris Grayling MP as the chair of the Intelligence and Select Committee, a committee tasked with overseeing the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of public bodies such as MI5. It was argued that Chris Grayling MP did not have a successful track record as a Minister. Further, the established procedures of the Committee stated that it was for Committee members to choose the Committee chair.
• During the investigation into the harassment claims made against Alex Salmond, it was discovered that the investigating officer had been in contact with the complainants in breach of the established investigation procedure. This led to the investigation being successfully challenged, costing the Scottish Government over £500,000 in legal fees.
• On November 2000 the Freedom of Information Act came into force in the UK, which allows individuals to request access to information held by the UK Government and public authorities. The Act allows Cabinet Ministers to overrule decisions to disclose requested information on the basis of “the public interest”.
• Dundee City Council awarded a contract to supply carbon monoxide detectors and heat and smoke detectors to Edmundson Electrical. This contract was not put out for tender, and it was later revealed that 2 senior council employees attended a Spanish golf trip arranged by Edmundson Electrical. Their attendance was not registered in the gifts and hospitality register, and it was later stated that the senior employees had covered their own expenses.