Manx Radio has reported:
The Attorney General and the Deputy Assessor of Income Tax have appeared before magistrates in Douglas this morning. Stephen Harding and Colin Goodwin are charged with a series of offences.
Mr Harding, the Attorney General, faces a total of six including forgery and perjury. Mr Goodwin is charged with three offences, one jointly with Mr Harding, of acts against public justice.
The two men only spoke to give their name, age and addresses.
Proceedings were adjourned until November 21st.
I've long argued that corruption is endemic in secrecy jurisdictions. I stress: these two are innocent until proven guilty. I also add that it's to the Isle of Man's credit that this issue has not been swept under the carpet. But nothing makes me change my ind on my generic claim. Indeed, I think it may be reinforced. I will watch the case with interest.
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You can get the Manx judiciary to arrest the AG??!!
The Bailhache brothers should be sweating!
The PSG has “long argued that corruption is endemic in secrecy jurisdictions” and none more so than on the Isle of Man. Although in any secrecy jurisdiction it is almost impossible for an “outsider” to obtain a conviction, no matter how persuasive the evidence.
We also agree that it’s to the Isle of Man’s credit (for once) that this particular issue has not been swept under the carpet — but if this is just the beginning of prosecuting offenders then the courts, and the jails, will be very busy for the next few years.
A surprising development indeed. I too will watch with interest. Curious to learn exactly what they are accused of.
Richard, you say: “I also add that it’s to the Isle of Man’s credit that this issue has not been swept under the carpet”
Interesting then. that the names do not appear on the long awaited publishing of their court listings:
http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/courtservice/CourtListings/cggd.pdf
In fairness, at present the lists appear to be token efforts at transparency by publishing just a handful of cases once a week, if that. Apparently it is mighty difficult to pin a list of the day’s business up on a wall (or on the internet) like they do in every court in the UK
There is a big election fraud triial going on at the moment, and it is possible that the reporter stumbled upon the court hearing by chance whilst covering this case:
http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=61734
The public interest in open justice is not one that is properly recognised in this secrecy jurisdiction.