Examination of Witness (Question Numbers
697-699)
MS JILL
PAY
7 DECEMBER 2009
Q697 Chairman: Serjeant at Arms, thank
you very much for coming to give evidence. We are most grateful.
Thank you also for your memorandum. I think you would like to
read that out to us and I might just ask you to do that in a moment.
Perhaps for the record you would just give us some account of
when you began to work in the Palace of Westminster and the positions
that you have held during that period.
Ms Pay: Yes, of course. I joined
the House of Commons in 1994 when I was the head office keeper.
That was working in the area of facilities, the front-of-house
facilities. I did that job for five years. Then I became the accommodation
rationalisation manager, which meant opening this building, so
getting the building ready, getting all the services in and then
ultimately managing the occupation of the building by Members.
Early in 2001, I became executive officer to the Serjeant at Arms
and in September 2004 I became an assistant Serjeant at Arms.
On 30 January 2008, I was appointed by the Queen as Serjeant at
Arms.
Q698 Chairman: Thank you very much.
Would you be good enough then just to turn to your memorandum
and to read it to us?
Ms Pay: May I just make a few
points before I read my statement?
Q699 Chairman: Of course. By all
means.
Ms Pay: Thank you for inviting
me to give evidence to the Committee. I am sure you and the Committee
are aware that this is the first opportunity I have had to talk
about the events of November 2008 and I welcome that. I assure
the Committee that I acted in good faith and I take full responsibility
for my actions. However, I am very sorry that my actions have
caused anxiety and distress among Members. With hindsight it is
clear to me that I should not have accepted the duty of confidentiality
placed on me by the police. I should have discussed the matter
fully with the Clerk of the House on the evening of Wednesday
26 November, after I met with the investigating police officers.
I deeply regret that error of judgment.
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