Judicial review could combat merger rush to judgement - German

1.40.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Apr 2006

An accusation from Gwent Police Authority that the Home Office has a "lack of grip" on the police merger process has prompted Mike German to call on the four forces in Wales to consider taking the first steps in a Judicial Review of Charles Clarke's rush to judgment.

A letter from the chair of the Gwent Police Authority to Charles Clarke, sent on Friday, sets out the Authority's "dismay at…the restructuring process". Geraint Price-Thomas goes on to say that the Chief Constables in Wales are "minded to object to the amalgamation order" due to the "frustration with the confusion" from the Home Office, because of its "lack of grip on the process".

Cleveland Police have already set a Judicial Review process in train, formally asking the Home Secretary to withdraw his North-East England police merger proposal.

Mr German said:

"The letter from the Gwent Police Authority is a damning indictment of the ill-thought out merger. There is concern, not confined to Wales but across England as well, at the speed of the process. It is clear that police authorities across England and Wales are frustrated at the lack of contact and assurances from the Home Office.

"Charles Clarke's previous on this process means that we cannot be guaranteed that he will re-consider the timescales or consult properly with the police authorities out of the goodness of his own heart. That is why a 'letter before claim" to him, that formally identifies the issues in dispute and invites him to withdraw the merger notice and allow sufficient time for evaluation of all the options, must be given serious consideration. It is a means of forcing the Home Office to review its decision within a proper and sensible timescale.

"I'm not encouraging the Police Authorities to become involved in legal action against the Home Office. Instead, the 'letter before claim' will formally express concerns, cause the Home Secretary to address the issues, and establish whether litigation can be avoided.

"Cleveland's claim asks for a minimum 12 month period - for the evaluation of all options to be conducted "fairly, openly and with integrity". It is in the interest of the people of Wales - which the Authorities and Forces have a duty to serve - that their views and concerns are addressed fully and not brushed over."