Wales Auditor General Quits After Porn is Found on Laptop

CARDIFF, Wales—Another one bites the dust. In the continuing global trend toward prosecuting otherwise proficient people for daring to enjoy adult content, the Auditor General of Wales has resigned after being accused of having pornography on his laptop.

“Jeremy Colman, 61, who headed the Wales Audit Office which checks the accounts of public sector bodies with budgets of £19bn, was reappointed last May to his post, which carries a salary of more than £170,000,” reports WalesOnline.com. “It is understood Mr Colman’s laptop was seized after a senior official at the Wales Audit Office contacted senior officials at the National Assembly. He resigned with immediate effect, although because he was technically appointed by the Queen, she has to accept his resignation.”

The position, which was created in 2005, is responsible for auditing and inspecting a range of public services, such as the Assembly Government and other public bodies, including within the National Health Service.

There is no indication that the content in question was illegal, and news reports do not specify the extent to which Colman was accused of having accessed adult material at work. It is even left unclear whether or not the laptop in question was provided to him by his employer.

However, Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood, who represents South Wales Central, where the Wales Audit Office (WAO) is located, did express alarm at his resignation and concern about the workplace politics of the WAO.

“Jeremy Colman’s resignation comes as a complete shock as it was only in May last year that his contract was extended for a further three years," she said. “I have previously called for an independent investigation into the running of the Wales Audit Office and I still believe that is necessary after Mr Colman’s departure.

“There have been allegations that a bullying culture exists within the office and this is an issue that will need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by his immediate successor and whoever is appointed to this key role in the long term.”

While that investigation is being considered, another is underway. The Times Online now reports that the police are now investigating Colman.

 “We are investigating an allegation regarding computer material. Inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further," a spokeswoman for South Wales Police told the paper.