I need to be careful with this one so I’ll stick to demonstrable facts and I’ll invite you to join the dots yourselves.

It was pointed out to me recently  that the recent HMIC inspections identified Lincolnshire as best Value for Money Force.Yesterday the BBC reported that G4S were claiming that companies such as theirs could save Police Forces up to £1 BILLION per annum by outsourcing back room functions etc.

G4S entered into a £200 million contract with Lincolnshire Police in 2012, with G4S now carrying out many back room functions for them.

During the initial negotiations G4S were represented by law firm White & Case.

Their website says “White & Case is an international law firm that serves companies, governments and financial institutions.”

In 2010 Tom Winsor was writing his Independent Review, he was employed by White and Case.
At the 2012 Police Federation Conference, Theresa May was asked

When you appointed Tom Winsor to carry out your independent review of policy, did you know that the law firm Tom Winsor is part of, which is White and Case, was negotiating the multi-million groundbreaking deal for G4S with Lincolnshire Police?

Mrs May replied

Tom Winsor did his review entirely independently. He did not do that review as part of the firm – he did it as an individual.

Barrie Young, Chair of the then Lincolnshire Police Authority chipped in with

My understanding is the work he’s done for the government in relation to his report on pay and conditions was as Tom Winsor and not the firm White and Case. I see no conflict of interest whatsoever

A spokesperson for White and Case added

There has been absolutely no conflict of interest: Mr Winsor has not been involved in any capacity with the legal team which advised us on our contract with Lincolnshire Police.

“Furthermore no member of the G4S policing team has even had contact with Mr Winsor.”

So, absolutely no doubt whatsoever, no conflict of interest, all parties say so.  Mr Winsor was not representing White and Case when he wrote his Independent Reviews, he was acting as an individual.

Being a cynical old bugger I submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Home Office as I was curious how much his report had cost.

“In relation to Mr Tom Winsor’s Review of Police Officers’ & Staff Remuneration & Conditions I request that you furnish me with the following information 

1) What was the total amount of money paid to Mr Winsor’s firm, White and Case, for his services in compiling the report in relation to this review. ”

Their reply?

Q1. Neither White & Case nor Mr Winsor has received any remuneration in respect of Mr Winsor’s work on the review.  

The terms and conditions of Mr Winsor’s appointment provided for £300 per day to be paid to him in remuneration for his work on the review. However, the Home Office has received no request for payment from Mr Winsor. I understand that he does not intend to claim this money. 

Mr Winsor has submitted expense claims that amount to £3,910.19, incurred during the production of his report, although these have yet to be paid. 

One more requestor was given an identical answer to mine, absolutely identical.

However, a third person got a subtly different reply to his request

Q.   ………how much Tom Winsor has either been paid or will be paid to carry out his review on remuneration and conditions of service for police officers and staff in England and Wales?

A.  The law firm White and Case, at which Tom Winsor is a partner, will receive £300 per day for his services. 

Do you see the subtle difference?

It may or may not be relevant that his request and response significantly predate my own.

So by now the Merry Go Round has gone round and round, and now we’re back at the beginning.

HMIC declare Lincolnshire the best VfM Force in the country.

And the head of HMIC is………………