Ethical standards clinic

At the Standards Committee hearing, there are a significant number of members of the public present who are noisy and appear to be disruptive to the proceedings. During the submissions given by the Investigator, some members of the public begin to heckle the Investigator, and it becomes difficult to hear the submissions being made. What steps can be taken in these circumstances?

Although it may seem far fetched, there are some hearings which I have attended where, as the ethical standards officer’s representative, I have been heckled whilst I delivered my submissions as to a breach of the code of conduct. This has tended to be more prevalent at Adjudication Panel for England hearings, although did occur from time to time at Standards Committee hearings. This has not only been distracting in relation to presenting the ethical standards officer’s case, but it has also been difficult for the Committee in trying to hear the submissions and disrespectful to the proceedings.

In such circumstances, it is important that the Chairperson immediately warns the public as to their behaviour being unacceptable and explaining the importance of their ability to make decisions without interruption and disruption. This warning should highlight that if there is any repetition, the relevant individuals would be asked to leave the meeting. The legal adviser may need to advise the Chairperson in these circumstances. If the heckling continues, another warning should be given and if this still fails, the Chairperson would be justified in adjourning the meeting until the relevant individuals were removed from the room.

Careful consideration as to the arrangement of the room is sometimes important in setting the right atmosphere. Ensuring that there is not a separation between supporters of the Investigator verses the subject member is a big step to setting the more harmonious atmosphere. In a hearing which is likely to become heated, the “wedding” style seating arrangement has often added to the animosity and bitterness that some members of the public may demonstrate at the hearing, where they are perhaps staunch supporters of the subject member. The “wedding” style seating as I refer to it is where there is a centre aisle and seating behind each of the investigator and the subject member!