Civil servant apologises to the public for £14,784 South Africa trip

Friday 04 March 2016

The civil servant who signed off a £14,784 five-day trip to South Africa for himself and a colleague has apologised “unreservedly” to taxpayers, and says that no-one from his department will ever fly business class again.

Economic Development department Chief Officer Mike King has said sorry for the expense of the trip to a mining conference in Cape Town – but has refused to comment on whether he will pay back the cost of the flights to the taxpayer.

He also confirmed – after days of rumours – that he took his golf clubs on the trip, but says that there was no extra baggage charge.

Mr King told Bailiwick Express that the trip – which he went on with Locate Jersey Director Wayne Gallichan – was a worthwhile exercise to generate business for the Island, but admits the £12,884 cost of their flexible business-class tickets was indefensible.

He said: “I have apologised to the Chief Minister and other ministers and I would extend that to the taxpayer.

“It was an error of judgment and I and the department are putting in new policies and procedures to make sure that it does not happen again. There will be no more business class travel from Economic Development.”

Earlier this week, Jersey’s top civil servant hinted that disciplinary action could be taken against Mr King and Mr Gallichan over the trip.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee yesterday afternoon, States Chief Executive John Richardson said that he would be looking into what happened – and hinted that action could be taken.

He referred to both the States’ internal Financial Directions and the Civil Servants’ Code of Conduct – but did not go as far as saying that any formal action would be taken.

More than one minister has privately expressed fury about the story to Bailiwick Express – saying that against the backdrop of new charges on the public, compulsory redundancies and cuts to services, the story of waste by senior civil servants undermines the work going on to balance public sector finances.

You can read the full interview with Mr King here.