One in, one out: new interim chief inspector of probation announced.

Flynn, Nick

On 2 February 2015, in a written statement made by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling, it was announced that the Chief Inspector of Probation, Paul McDowell, had resigned. Given that Mr McDowell's wife is employed in a senior management position by Sodexo, a multi-national services and facilities corporation which, in partnership with the crime reduction charity Nacro, has been awarded six of the 21 new probation contracts, Chris Grayling announced:

   I have considered carefully all of the potential mechanisms and
   systems that could be introduced and used to manage any actual or
   perceived conflict of interest. However Mr McDowell has decided
   that, in the circumstances, he will resign.

The statement of Mr McDowell's resignation can be read here:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote office/Februarv%202015/2nd%20Februarv/2.JUSTICE-probation.pdf

Following Mr McDowell's resignation, on 16 February 2015 it was announced that the new interim Chief Inspector of Probation is to be the former Chief Executive of London Probation Trust, Paul Wilson. Mr Wilson is to lead the probation inspectorate while a permanent Chief Inspector is being recruited.

The Ministry of Justice announcement of Mr Wilson's appointment can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/interim-chief-inspector-of-probation-announced

Edited by Dr Nick Flynn and Ross Little, De Montfort University