Covid inquiries continue at Farmhouse, says GBA

Officials took the unusual step of stating that they have not concluded investigations into events at The Farmhouse after managing director David Nussbaumer told this newspaper he had been cautioned for trying to pervert the course of justice, and he was waiting to hear whether he would have to appear in court.

Mr Nussbaumer said yesterday that he was happy to assist Law Enforcement’s investigation.

‘I am fully co-operating as I have been right from the start before it even came out in to the public domain.’

Emails between Mr Nussbaumer and an employee were leaked to media outlets, and they appeared to show that Mr Nussbaumer had encouraged employees to mislead Public Health regarding a staff member who was self-isolating but visited by another colleague.

The messages, which were sent in May this year, also suggested Mr Nussbaumer had based his actions on advice obtained from his close friend and Civil Contingencies Authority chairman Peter Ferbrache, a claim strongly refuted by Mr Nussbaumer.

Deputy Ferbrache has said he has no recollection of any such conversation.

Political concerns about what has been dubbed ‘Farmhousegate’ continue to grow, which led to the authority releasing the following statement: ‘Members of the Civil Contingencies Authority are aware of the media reports and social media comments.

‘However, the CCA is not the appropriate body to comment on or investigate any allegation of a breach in the law.’

That was released by Policy & Resources Committee vice-president Deputy Heidi Soulsby as acting head of the CCA because Deputy Ferbrache has withdrawn from discussions on the issue.

A number of senior politicians are unhappy that the CCA is not investigating what amounts to allegations of ‘cronysim’ and Deputy Charles Parkinson released the following via social media: ‘On 23 February 2021, David Nussbaumer was able to advise his employees (by email) that: 1) Restaurants & Hotels open in two weeks time 2) Bars/nightclubs open in one month, social distancing removed 3) Borders open in August, so staycations only until end of July.’

He did not want to expand on that yesterday.

The GBA has made it clear that officers are prepared to look into Covid-related allegations where they are drawn to the agency’s attention.

It said: ‘We would like to reassure the public that we respond to reports of self-isolation breaches and follow up all legitimate lines of enquiry.’

Claims that individuals were receiving information ahead of any formal release could theoretically fall under the heading, ‘legitimate lines of inquiry’.