Sanctus – The Office for Parliamentary Standards and Ethics have announced today they have passed their files on political party spending in the 2022 General Election to the Sanctarian Federal Police, with the recommendation they specifically look into spending on Chancellor Ethan Ringrose’s campaign. OPSE’s recommendation follows the criminal charges laid against former Sanctarian Conservative Party leader Kate Cruz late last year, alleging financial impropriety in the same election.
Chancellor Ringrose’s office tonight released a statement acknowledging the recommendation by OPSE and that “they will not comment publicly on the matter to avoid undue influence on the SFP”. Privately, Ringrose is said to be furious and is denying the implication by OPSE “wholeheartedly”. The statement by OPSE today recommending the investigation only into Ringrose’s campaign said they did not want to “imply guilt or innocence; we make this recommendation because question remain unanswered and lie outside of our scope and within the sole competence of the Sanctarian Federal Police”.
The prospect of the incumbent Chancellor being investigated for financial crimes by the Sanctarian Federal Police raises questions and will reduce public confidence in the Government and, after the arrests last year of Cruz, the House of Deputies as a whole. Though trust in politicians have generally been high, the past few years have displayed higher levels of apathy amongst the populace, with this latest move unlikely to move the needle in a positive direction.
Equally, how Ringrose should proceed as Chancellor when the SFP may be actively investigating him for crimes also raises questions. Is it appropriate for someone who holds almost all executive power, checked only by the House, to remain in office while under police investigation? Would Ringrose be able to remain in cabinet meetings, chairing those cabinet meetings and making the final decisions, when issues of crime and policing arise? The conflicts of interest are numerous, yet there are no procedures under Sanctarian law for a Chancellor to temporarily stand aside or cede duties to another, even if they are sick let alone when they are under investigation.
Questions also arise now for the SFP. If they do not proceed with OPSE’s recommendation to investigate, will it be because the Chancellor himself directed them not to? Or, at the least, that optic could arise; it must be assumed they will have to launch the investigation, if only to avoid that suggested. Chancellor Ringrose’s statement tonight said they would make no more public statements, but the reality is he and they may not have a choice.
JOEY SESSIONS, Political Editor
