Annex IV14
Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards from Ms Eileen Eggington QPM
Further to my letter and statement dated 19th October
2001.
You will wish to be aware that on 7th November I
received a second letter from David Price Solicitors on behalf
of Maria Fernandes. I attach a copy of this letter and my brief
reply. I also attach a two page statement by me relating to this
matter.
I am very concerned that, since making complaints
to you about Mr Vaz, I have not only been the subject of false
allegations by him, but now find myself being threatened with
legal action by his wife Maria Fernandes. I have no fear they
will succeed in their attempt to discredit me, but I do believe
that they are interfering in the democratic process by trying
to silence me through implied intimidation.
You are aware, from our first meeting, that I have
been motivated in laying my complaints purely from a sense of
public duty. I have received no financial or other reward from
any source. Indeed, my efforts have cost me dearly in terms of
time and emotional energy. It was not easy to take statements
from Mrs Gresty. She has been suffering from severe depression
since May 2000 * * *. Many, though not all, of her problems stemmed
from her employment as PA with Maria Fernandes, and it was as
a result of my spending hours with her in an unofficial counselling
role that she spoke about the things that I brought to your attention.
I spent some time tussling with my conscience, and
talking to her husband Mr Vyan Gresty, before I suggested that
Rita Gresty might wish to make a statement to assist your enquiry.
I did not induce her. Indeed, she seemed better after making each
statement, having 'got matters off her chest'. She knew that the
statements she made were solely for your enquiry. I might add
that, from my professional judgement, her mind and memory were
not impaired by her depressed state.
We now face the disadvantage that, because of rules
of 'disclosure', Mr Vaz has seen the statements made by Mrs Gresty.
This has been the most difficult aspect that she has had to face.
The current veiled threats against me are making me feel anxious
and left me wondering whether I should have left my public duty
conscience behind when I retired from the Police Service two years
ago.
8 November 2001
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