SIXTEEN PAST presidents of the British Veterinary Association have expressed concern over the state of the organisation in a letter in the professions own journal the Veterinary Record. Amongst the signatories was Mr Mike Stockman former chairman of Crufts committee, Kennel Club General Committee member and trustee.
The allegations which include harassment, staff intimidation, bullying and possible financial mismanagement at the associations headquarters in Marylebone, west London, came several weeks ahead of the 2002 BVA AGM on October 6th.and Congress at which Barry Johnson a past president of the royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has called for a vote of no confidence in the continued from p.1
Council
in a letter to the Veterinary Times of August 5th.
The presidents, all of whom were in office over the last fifty
years, called for greater transparency and openness in the
light of the two independent inquiries into the profession
which examined the allegations said to be tearing the
profession apart and damaging its reputation.
Mirroring Kennel Club concerns that the profession would be
seen as laughing stock in the eyes of the government if transparency
wasnt applied, attention was drawn to the lack of confidence
in the organisation particularly in the wake of the adverse
publicity surrounding the veterinary involvement in last years
foot and mouth crisis.
One independent report even questioned the management style
of the chief executive Jim Baird and his assistant Ailsa Edwards
and catalogued a whole list of problems highlighted by past
and current staff at the London office. These included low
morale, and an atmosphere of distrust, secrecy and fear.
This has lead to a high turnover of staff and prompted others
to join a union.
OUR DOGS contacted the BVAs office earlier this week
and spokesman said, In the light of concerns raised
by staff, the Executive Committee of BVA appointed an independent
investigator. The report of the investigator has been received
and is being actioned. In view of the necessity for the process
to be conducted fairly, I am not in a position to say any
more at this stage.
Meanwhile the current president Andrew Scott confirmed that
the report was being actioned and that for legal
reasons he was unable to comment further.