Review may follow prison death deal
A SECRET settlement reached by the States following the death of a man in prison six years ago could spark a review by the Scrutiny Committee, it emerged yesterday.
Chairman Rob Jones, pictured, said it would discuss whether the watchdog should lead a review into the circumstances surrounding the outcome of the court settlement connected to a £325,000 damages claim from the widow of Alan Schofield.
It also emerged yesterday that Treasury minister Gavin St Pier agreed to the payout remaining confidential, with a States spokesman saying it was Mrs Schofield who asked for the secret deal.
'In this case, an out-of-court settlement was reached and while the States of Guernsey did not want, need or seek a confidentiality agreement in relation to this matter, it was specifically requested by Mrs Schofield for personal reasons as a condition of the settlement.
'In the circumstances, to achieve a settlement, this request from Mrs Schofield was agreed by the Treasury and Resources minister, not least to reduce the risk to the States of Guernsey of proceeding through a full court case.'
Mr Schofield, 64, died from a heart attack at Les Nicolles on 11 July 2008.
