Full McKelvey Report Remains Unpublished
The complete “Overspend Report' into the spending and practices of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, produced by Professor Bill McKelvey and colleagues, remains redacted following the advice of external counsel.
The report on the implementation of a new database and building works in the Lower Ground Floor of the RCVS offices in Belgravia House was originally published by the RCVS Council on 3rd November. A Freedom of Information request was submitted as only 50% of the report had been published (the recommendations).
The Freedom of Information request to release the report in its entirety failed after the external counsel consulted by the RCVS concluded that releasing the full report would compromise personal data and would therefore contravene the Data Protection Act.
The report includes extensive recommendations aimed at preventing a repetition of recent questionable practices. The RCVS has drawn criticism over allegations of excessive spending in Capital Building Projects, overreach by the Planning and Resources Committee, and a general lack of open, challenging and transparent governance. RCVS Council and Officers have since promised to prioritise the formation of an Audit and Risk Committee.
The recommendations, which account for approximately 50% of the report, were published online on 11th November and are available to download here.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
