PCC rejects criticism over failure to provide personal financial details

The chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz MP, expressed disappointment in interviews that Mr Stansfeld had not disclosed the information requested of him.
He did not, for example, provide information on staff salaries and on what other salaried positions he held.
Mr Vaz was speaking after publication of the committee’s report into PCCs’ Register of Interests.
The introduction states: “With so much power concentrated in the hands of a single individual, it is vital that there is clear and objective scrutiny and an effective system of checks to ensure that the role is performed to the highest standards of integrity and competence... regular, national comparisons are important for public confidence and draw together the first register of PCCs interests.”
Mr Stansfeld was one of seven who did not respond to requests for such information.
However, Mr Stansfeld said that in the case of his staff, this was private information and could not be disclosed without their permission.
In a written reply to Mr Vaz, Mr Stansfeld wrote: “I was disappointed that your request for information was made without the common courtesy of any explanation or justification as to why it was needed, how it would be used and published, and with no guarantees that any confidential information provided would remain confidential.”
Mr Stansfeld said that he made several attempts to contact the committee for reassurance but had received no response.
He added: “As a result, in the absence of any explanation or reassurances, I decided that it was not appropriate to release the information requested.”
Meanwhile Mr Stansfeld’s controversial expenses are to be officially examined following a meeting of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel.
Mr Stansfeld has accused critics of a political smear campaign over claims that he established a ‘sham’ office in Hungerford to boost his expenses.
Mr Stansfeld, a Conservative district councillor for Kintbury who was elected to the £85,000 a year Thames Valley PCC role in November, has also defended his decision to employ an extra assistant at nearly £20,000 a year to chauffeur him to meetings, take notes and help organise his day.