Victims commissioner Claire Waxman appears to have nettled the Commons justice committee. Chair Andy Slaughter revealed at the start of an evidence session on the Courts and Tribunals Bill this week that Waxman declined ‘at very late notice’ to attend – ‘we think for no particularly good reason’. Obiter asked the victims commissioner’s office why she turned down the invitation, but answer came there none.
Fortunately, Slaughter sounded willing to take written evidence from the commissioner before the committee reports later this year. Better that than issuing a formal summons for Waxman to be thrown into clink.
In fact, select committees rarely flex their power to summon, backed with a threat of the Palace of Westminster cells. Notable occasions in recent years include the Sports Direct chief Mike Ashley (pictured) being summoned to appear before the business, innovation and skills committee in 2016, and Dominic Cummings being summoned to appear before the digital, culture, media and sport committee two years later.
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